Vatican wants U.S. to “finish job in Iraq,” says Ambassador

Vatican City, Jan 11, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The U.S. ambassador to the Vatican responded to comments made by Pio Cardinal Laghi Monday that President George Bush has not held his promise for a quick end to the war in Iraq – a promise the cardinal says Bush made in March 2003.

Ambassador Jim Nicholson said yesterday that Vatican officials want the United States to remain in Iraq and democratize the country, despite the Pope’s opposition to the war, reported The Associated Press.

"I will say that virtually everyone I talk to at the Vatican does not want the United States to pull out of Iraq. They want us to stay in there, solidify and pacify Iraq and help it become a free, stable and democratic country," Nicholson told the AP.

Nicholson told the AP that he was present at that meeting between Cardinal Laghi and the President and did not recall Bush saying that, although he said he would not dispute the cardinal’s statement.