Pope appeals to world community to increase support for Haiti

Published: 2008-03-13

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI appealed to the world community to "continue and increase its support of the Haitian people" and help them be able to build a better future for themselves. He also asked that leaders of the Caribbean island-nation be given "the courage to promote change and reconciliation" so that citizens can live in more "dignified conditions" and benefit from "the riches of the earth." The pope made his remarks during a March 13 audience with bishops from Haiti who were in Rome on their "ad limina" visit to report on the status of their dioceses. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with an estimated 80 percent of its population living below the poverty line, and a per-capita annual income of about $440. An estimated 70 percent of the workforce is unemployed. During his meeting with Haitian bishops, Pope Benedict recalled that so many Haitians have been forced to emigrate in order to fulfill basic human needs. He said he hoped there would be a show of even greater solidarity for Haiti.

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