Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, February 18, 1991                   TAG: 9102180300
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ROME                                LENGTH: Medium

POPE REJECTS `PEACE AT ANY COST'

In remarks Sunday, the pontiff apparently sought to blunt attempts by Italian leftists and others to use his peace appeals for their own anti-war campaign.

Italian communists and other opponents of the war had used a remark made by John Paul on Christmas Day - that "war is an adventure with no return" - as a slogan and rallying cry.

"We don't want peace at any cost," the pontiff said in remarks at a Rome parish. "A just peace, peace and justice . . . Peace always the work of justice."

Later, speaking from his balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, the pope said Lent - the 40-day period of fasting and penitence before Easter - is a time for Catholics around the world to pray for "the gift of peace in justice."

The words "peace in justice" were underlined for emphasis in the written Vatican text of the speech. Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro said that by justice, the pope meant respect of the rights of sovereign Kuwait as well as those of Iraq, Palestinians and all people of the Middle East.

Since Iraq's Aug. 2 invasion of Kuwait, the pope has made more than 40 public appeals for a peaceful solution of the crisis.

The pope has called for an international peace conference to resolve all Middle East problems, including the Palestinian question. This has put him at odds with the United States, which rejects any semblance of linkage between the Persian Gulf conflict and other issues.

The war and Iraq's Scud missile attacks on Israel have led Jewish groups and some promiment politicians in Italy to push for the Vatican to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Jewish state.