Developed countries must offer help to eliminate poverty, says pope

Published: 2007-04-23

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Developed countries have a moral obligation to offer concrete help in eliminating poverty in the world, especially in Africa, Pope Benedict XVI said. While the governments of poorer countries have a responsibility to fight corruption and poverty on their home turf, "the active involvement of international partners is indispensable," he said in a letter addressed to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Helping poorer nations out of the grinding cycle of poverty and debt "is a grave and unconditional moral responsibility" that cannot be considered an option or be "postponed in the face of pressing national concerns," he wrote. The Vatican released the pope's letter and the German leader's reply April 23, just a few weeks before the start of the summit of the Group of Eight industrialized nations being held June 6-8 in Germany. The pope's letter was dated Dec. 16, 2006.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .