Pope John Paul appealed for the release of three Italians held hostage in Iraq today as several thousand people marched to St Peter's Square to press for their freedom and for an end to the conflict there.
The kidnappers, who murdered a fourth Italian taken at the same time, have threatened to kill the three security workers unless Italians protest against Rome's military presence. In a tape aired on Arab television on Monday, they set a five-day deadline.
"In the name of the one God, who will judge all of us, John Paul II renews to the kidnappers his pressing appeal to allow the hostages to return to their families," the Vatican's foreign minister, Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, told demonstrators.
The families and friends of the Italian hostages were joined by at least 3,000 protesters, many carrying rainbow peace flags, in a march from the Tiber River to the Vatican that they hope will lead to the freedom of the three men.
"The pope invites everyone to pray to God, who loves every person and does not want the death of anyone, for a happy ending to this painful episode," Lajolo said.
The appeal was broadcast by several Arab-language television stations in the Middle East.
The prelate told the crowd that the ailing 83-year-old pope, who strongly opposed the Iraq war, was at that moment praying in his private chapel for the release of the hostages.
Salvatore Stefio, Umberto Cupertino and Maurizio Agliana were captured more than two weeks ago outside Baghdad, where they were working for a private U.S. security firm.
Fabrizio Quattrocchi was shot after the captors demanded Italy withdraw its 2,700 troops from Iraq .