Ends....
Meanwhile, Dr Caldicott said from the US yesterday that she had been overwhelmed by the response to her campaign, which began on March 1. In her appeal, she wrote: "To persuade the Holy Father to take this unusual but potent action, he must hear from you and millions of others around the world who have already been inspired to stand up and speak out for peace.

"A mountain of surface mail, email, faxes and phone calls are our devices to inspire him."


Yesterday she said she was getting hundred of emails daily.

She said the Pope had been active in opposing war. "I think he feels passionate. He's an old man who is very sick with nothing to lose."

She said some who rang the Vatican were told by telephone operators: "It's you stupid Americans who voted George Bush in."

There is precedent for a pope halting an invasion. In 452 Pope Leo the Great visited the camp of Attila the Hun and persuaded Attila not to invade Rome.