Pope John Paul II called for an end to the "intolerable" human rights violation of torture.

After his June 27 Angelus, the pope reminded pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square that June 26 marked the U.N. International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

He asked that "the shared commitment by individuals and organizations banish completely this intolerable violation of human rights." Torture is "radically contrary to the dignity of man," he said.

More than 130 countries, including the United States, have ratified the 1987 U.N. Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The international agreement requires signatory parties to work to end the use of torture within their territorial jurisdiction and it maintains that torture is not permitted under any circumstances or emergencies.

In a June 4 address to visiting U.S. President George W. Bush, the pope made an apparent reference to the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers. The pope had said recent "deplorable events" undermined the values that are essential to defeating terrorism.

According to the U.N. convention, torture is defined as "an act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person" for a purpose such as gathering information or a confession, or for punishment, intimidation or coercion and has been carried out "with the consent or acquiescence of a public official."

---CNS