VATICAN CITY, Oct 2 (AFP) - Pope John Paul II denounced Saturday what he called a "bargaining in human lives" in an allusion to the hostage crisis in Iraq.
Speaking to a delegation of French journalists, he said his thoughts were with hostages and their families, "innocent victims of violence and hatred."
"No demand should lead to bargaining in human lives. The path of violence has no exit."
Two French journalists are held hostage in Iraq, among around 30 foreigners held captive or listed as missing.
At least 150 foreigners have been seized since April, of which around 30 have been killed by their captors and a few freed, while hundreds of Iraqis have also been kidnapped.
The 84-year-old pontiff, who was accepting an award by a French Catholic television station and a news magazine, renewed a traditional call for peace and brotherhood.
"My thoughts go out to the journalists who, by their testimony and their publications, work for peace and freedom and who pay a high price at times of conflict."