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In 2002 St. John Paul II wrote his annual message for the World Day for Peace when the war in Afghanistan was only just beginning.
He was saddened by the tragedy of 9/11, but also worried by the global response to terrorist organizations.
On one hand, St. John Paul II did recognize the right to defend one's country from terrorism.
Yet, he also believed military defense was not the only option. He advocated for the elimination of the root causes of terrorist organizations.
Terrorist organizations will be bred in situations of oppression and poverty. If the underlying conditions of terrorism are not rooted out, it will only come back even stronger.
Furthermore, terrorism must not be endorsed by any religion or moral leader.
Above all, the road to peace can only be established through forgiveness.
Terrorist organizations will continue to thrive in the world until peace and reconciliation can be established and the root causes of terrorism are eliminated.
