Pope calls for increased efforts to counter poverty, ensure religious freedom

In an annual address to the diplomatic corps at the Vatican Jan. 8, Pope Benedict XVI, called for increased efforts to combat global poverty and ensure religious freedom in countries "where the future is at stake."

Expressing serious concern over the lack of peace in the world, Pope urged, to work strenuously "on behalf of security and development." Peace, he said, "cannot be built when military expenses divert enormous human and material resources from projects for development, especially the development of the poorest peoples."

He remembered the countries struck with natural calamities and those with persecution from anti-Christians in the past year, especially in India and Iraq.

The Pope urged authorities to be active in their commitment to end "intolerance and acts of harassment directed against Christians, to repairing the damage which has been done, particularly to the places of worship and properties; and to encouraging by every means possible due respect for all religions, outlawing all forms of hatred and contempt."

"The Church, as has often been said, does not demand privileges, but the full application of the principle of religious freedom," the Pope affirmed. "In this perspective, it is important that, in central Asia, legislation concerning religious communities guarantee the full exercise of this fundamental right, in respect for international norms."

Further on the need to eradicate poverty, the 81-year-old pontiff said, "There is an urgent need to adopt an effective strategy to fight hunger and to promote local agricultural development, all the more so since the number of the poor is increasing even within rich countries. ... On a deeper level, bolstering the economy demands rebuilding confidence. This goal will only be reached by implementing an ethics based on the innate dignity of the human person."

"Today more than in the past, our future is at stake, as well as the fate of our planet and its inhabitants, especially the younger generation which is inheriting a severely compromised economic system and social fabric," he said.

The pope concluded his speech urging fight against global poverty can be inspired by Jesus and his Gospel.

"Because he is the Son of God, he tells us that fraternal solidarity between all men and women is the royal road to fighting poverty and to building peace. May the light of his love illumine all government leaders and all humanity!" he said.