Israeli President Shimon Peres asked Pope Benedict XVI for help in releasing Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier seized four years ago by Hamas. Peres met the pope at the Vatican and also discussed Iran and the just-started Middle Peace talks.
The pope said he would do all he could to help get Shalit released, Ynetnews reported Thursday.
Peres said during the discussion with the pope a nuclear Iran would endanger the entire Middle East, and that the "alternative to peace (between Israel and the Palestinians) is dangerous and extremist Iranian hegemony," Ynetnews reported.
Peres said Iran's leadership wants a complete takeover of moderate Middle East states, adding, "This is pure imperialism under the guise of religion." Peres said a nuclear Iran would be "global suicide."
Vatican officials and the pope said they hope the Israeli-Palestinian talks that started Thursday would bring peace to the region and respect the "legitimate aspirations" of both sides.
Pope Benedict expressed his condolences to Peres for the families of victims of recent shooting attacks and condemned all attacks against civilians.
SIC: UPI/EU