Rome - Following the most recent flare-up of bloody fighting between rival Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip, Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday issued his most striking appeal to the Palestinian Authority. The leadership had to promote "the difficult path to unity through dialogue and determination," the head of the Catholic Church said during the traditional Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square in Rome.
He also called on the Israeli government to exercise "moderation" with reference to the airstrikes being carried out by the Israel Air Force.
"I also appeal to the international community to step up their efforts to (bring about) new talks," the German pontiff said.
"In the name of God, I pray that this tragic violence stops."
Benedict expressed his solidarity and closeness with the "sorely tested" Palestinian and Israeli people.
