…by Pope Benedict:

Benedict XVI is full of hope on the eve of the international conference in Rome to seek a resolution of the current Israel-Lebanon conflict.

Speaking once again to journalists on his return from his excursion of the day, the Pope said, "Finally, something is moving, but one must get to the roots of the conflict."

"At this moment, we see," he added, "that prayers are not useless, so let us pray very strongly that the conference in Rome tomorrow may have concrete results to bring back peace now and to solve the problems which are really at the root of the conflict."

The Pontiff told newsmen he wished that the conference will find "stable and lasting solutions."

Earlier today, the Vatican announced that the Holy See had been officially invited to take part as an observer in the conference.

The Vatican delegation will be headed by Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, secretary for relations with other states. Two counselors will be with him – Mons. Franco Coppola and Mons. Alberto Ortega Martin.

The Pope visited another local church today, this time that of Our Lady of Healing in Courmayeur, at the foot of Mont Blanc. Only tourists were around when the Pope arrived.

The Pope’s secretary, Mons. Georg Gaenswein, informed the local parish priest don Giuseppe Gerbaz of the Pope’s afternoon visit on short notice, and requested that it be kept private.

The Pope arrived around 5:00 p.m. after Vespers and remained for about half an hour. He prayed the litanies to the Virgin Mary and an invocation to Mary Queen of Val d’Aosta, and requested those present to "pray for peace."

He presented the parish priest with a chasuble and expressed his regret that the bad weather during the day kept him from
properly visiting one of the most beautiful zones of the region.

By 7:20 p.m., the Pope was back in Les Combes. He has two more days on vacation. On Friday, July 28, he will leave for Castel Gandolfo, where he will spend the rest of the summer.