In his traditional "Urbi et Orbi"message ("to the city and to the world") the Pope said, "Today my thoughts go to all the children of the world: so many, too many, are children condemned from birth to suffer through no fault of their own the effects of cruel conflicts. Let us save the children, in order to save the hope of humanity."

Although, the pontiff made no direct reference to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks or to the U.S. bombings in Afghanistan,he said, "The new millennium began with much hope, but is now threatened by dark clouds of violence and war."

There is a form of terrorism that we CAN do something about: Child Verbal, Sexual and Physical [a.k.a Corporal Punishment (spanking)] Abuse, The trauma to its victims can be even more severe than that resulting from witnessing horrendous targeted terrorist attacks. [New York Times, September 18, 2001: