Pope appeals for greater efforts to end poverty, leprosy

Published: 2006-01-30

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI appealed for greater efforts to end economic injustice in the world and released two white doves from his apartment window as a symbol of peace. With two Italian children by his side, the pope laughed as one of the birds flew back inside his apartment. "The dove wants to stay with the pope, as you see. But it will find freedom," the pontiff said as an aide relaunched the bird. Pope Benedict told the young people that if they want to become peacemakers they should "learn to always say and do the truth." The pope also marked World Leprosy Day, encouraging missionaries and church health care workers who assist many of the estimated 500,000 people afflicted with leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease. "Leprosy is a symptom of a more serious and more vast evil, which is poverty," the pope said. "For this reason, like my predecessors, I renew my appeal to the leaders of nations to unite their efforts to overcome the serious imbalances that still penalize a large part of humanity."

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