Pope John Paul called on everyone, including world leaders, to assume their responsibility and make every effort to spare humanity what he called "a dramatic conflict" in Iraq.
The 82-year-old pope made his appeal today during his weekly general audience at the start of a special day of fasting and prayer for peace.
"Everyone has to knowingly assume their responsibility and make a common effort to spare humanity another dramatic conflict," he said.
The pope has called on all Catholics to observe a day of prayer and abstain from eating some food in the hopes of averting war.