Meanwhile, Pope John Paul II’s senior adviser has arrived in Baghdad for meetings with senior Iraqi leaders. Last night he presided over a Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in central Baghdad. Democracy Now! Jeremy Scahill correspondent was there.

Jeremy Scahill: “Regardless of their faith, Iraqis are praying for a miracle. Almost no one believes that war can be averted, and people of all religions repeat the phrase, ’We’re asking God to save us.’ Iraqi Christians came from across Baghdad and beyond to pack the large St. Joseph Cathedral in the center of the capital. For them, it was a rare day of hope in very disparate times. Roger Cardinal Etchegaray was saying the Mass. As Pope John Paul II’s senior adviser, he’s the highest church official to visit Iraq in decades. For several years the pope himself has expressed interest in coming to Iraq, but the trip never materialized. Cardinal Etchegaray described his trip to Baghdad as a peace mission. And the hundreds of Iraqis at St. Joseph’s listened intently to his every word as he delivered a message from the pope.”

Cardinal Roger Etchegaray: “Peace. Who doesn’t talk about it today everywhere in the world without thinking about the huge threats that weigh on Iraq? Who does not desire peace? But how many among them think that it is still possible? How many truly want it with all their will? Today, this night, here, we pray for peace in Iraq.”

Jeremy Scahill: “After the cardinal finished his prepared statement, he looked out at the congregation, raised his arms and repeated in Arabic, 'Salaam, salaam' — 'Peace, peace.' The church erupted with applause and cheering, followed by rhythmic clapping. Cardinal Etchegaray’s visit to Baghdad hasn’t dramatically increased hope that peace will indeed prevail. But it did send a message to Iraq’s Christians that they’re not forgotten. The Vatican appears to be stepping up its efforts at reaching a peaceful solution to the crisis. Later this week, Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, himself a Christian, is scheduled to meet the pope in Rome. John Paul II has added his voice to the growing chorus against a war on Iraq. But it’s unlikely that George W. Bush will listen. His own Methodist Church has come out against an attack on Iraq, and Bush won’t even meet with its leaders. For Democracy Now!, this is Jeremy Scahill in Baghdad.”