Pope Benedict XVI launched an impassioned appeal for a cease-fire in the Middle East, saying it was impossible that military action would create the conditions needed for a lasting peace in the region.

"In the name of God, I address all those responsible for this spiral of violence so that immediately on all sides the weapons would be laid down," the pope said July 30 before reciting the midday Angelus prayer.

Speaking at his summer villa at Castel Gandolfo, the pope made his appeal several hours after an Israeli air raid in Qana, Lebanon, led to the deaths of some 60 civilians, including at least 37 children.

The attack on Qana brought Lebanon's death toll to more than 510 since fighting began mid-July.

Israel, which maintained Hezbollah guerrillas were using civilians as human shields, promised an investigation into the incident and later declared a 48-hour suspension of aerial bombings. Fighting resumed July 31.

Asking those gathered in the courtyard of his summer residence to increase their prayers for peace, Pope Benedict said the situation in Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories was becoming more and more "serious and tragic" with "hundreds of dead, many injured, an enormous mass of homeless and displaced (and) houses, cities and infrastructure destroyed."

At the same time, he said, "in the hearts of many people, hatred and the desire for vengeance seem to grow."

"These facts clearly demonstrate that you cannot reestablish justice, create a new order and build an authentic peace by turning to the instrument of violence," the pope said.

"More than ever we see how prophetic and, at the same time, realistic is the church's voice when, in the face of wars and conflict of every kind, it indicates the path of truth, justice, love and freedom," Pope Benedict said.

"This is the path humanity must follow today in order to achieve the desired good of peace," he said.

Pope Benedict asked the leaders of governments around the world to do everything possible to achieve a cease-fire and "begin building, through dialogue, a lasting and stabile coexistence among all the peoples of the Middle East."

The pope also appealed for continued donations for humanitarian aid for the suffering and displaced.

"But, most of all, may there continue to rise from every heart a confident prayer to the good and merciful God so that he would give his peace to that region and the whole world," the pope said.

Formally encouraging the Israeli government to take concrete steps toward a long-term cease-fire, Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, Vatican foreign minister, had a telephone conversation July 30 with Tzipi Livni, Israel's foreign minister, reported Vatican Radio. The Vatican did not release further details of the conversation.

-- CNS