Pope says closing rich-poor gap must be priority for all

Published: 2004-09-27

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II said the gap between the world's rich and poor cries out for new efforts by Christians and the international community. "The Catholic Church pledges its total commitment toward eradicating the scourge of hunger and other consequences of poverty," the pope said at a Sunday blessing Sept. 26. "We pray to the Lord to sustain the efforts of the international community regarding justice and social development. This, in fact, is the way to guarantee a future of peace for the world," he said. The pontiff made the remarks in the courtyard of his summer residence outside Rome, where he was cheered in several languages by groups of pilgrims. The day before, the pope met with more than 30 papal nuncios working in Africa and urged them to continue to share in the suffering of the countries where they work. He said he was aware that the nuncios serve as his representative with zeal and fidelity, often in difficult and dramatic situations.

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