Pope Paul has appealed for an end to violence in Ireland and the elimination of what he called deep-seated causes of social unrest.
In a pentecostal message to Cardinal Conway, the Catholic Primate of All Ireland, the Pope said he continued to follow the protraction of an intolerable situation with growing anxiety and concern.
He said the situation has been aggravated by "a tragic increase of blind and unspeakable acts of violence, acts which have claimed so many victims and thrown so many families into mourning.
"Public order and safety have thus been undermined and it would seem in the present sad circumstances as though human life itself has come to be regarded of little value," the Pope added in his message written in English. The message continued: "We earnestly beg that all violence should cease, from whatever side it may come, for it is contrary to the law or God and to a Christian and civilized way of life."
The Pope begged that "real and deep-seated causes of social unrest — which are not to be reduced to differences of a religious nature — be identified and eliminated."