Thu January 1, 2004

By Claire Soares

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The world needs a "new international order" to
solve its conflicts and ensure peace, Pope John Paul said in his New Year's
Day address on Thursday.

The ghosts of 2003 -- when the United States invaded Iraq without United
Nations approval -- dominated the pope's first speech of 2004.

"More than ever we need a new international order which draws on the
experience and results of the United Nations," the 83-year-old pontiff said
at a mass in St Peter's Basilica.

"An order which is capable of finding adequate solutions to today's
problems, based on the dignity of human beings, on integrating all society,
on solidarity between rich and poor countries, on the sharing of resources
and the extraordinary results of scientific and technological progress," he
added.

Speaking at Christendom's largest church, the pope urged people not to lose
hope of finding peace in the Holy Land, which the Vatican feels is vital to
winning the war on terror.

"The land in which Jesus was born sadly continues to live in a dramatic
condition. And in other parts of the world sparks of violence and conflict
have not been extinguished either. But we need to persevere and not bow to
the temptation of losing hope."

Turning to Africa, the pope paid tribute to his Burundi ambassador, Michael
Courtney, killed on Monday in an ambush the army has blamed on rebels who
have refused to join a peace process to end a 10-year conflict.

"(He) was tragically killed...while he was going about his mission of
promoting dialogue and reconciliation. We pray for him and hope his example
and sacrifice will bear the fruits of peace in Burundi and the world," the
pope said.

The leader of the world's one billion Catholics, who suffers from
Parkinson's disease that makes it difficult for him to talk, seemed alert
and read all of his homily in a clear voice.

But it is unclear what 2004 holds for him. For the first time since his
election in 1978, the pope enters the new year with no firm plans for
travel, although there have been some invitations.

He was particularly weak on his last foreign trip, a visit to Slovakia in
September, when aides had to read most of his addresses for him. © Reuters
2004. All Rights Reserved.

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