Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday spoke of the importance of morals in politics, a timely topic in Italy as Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi faces criticism over alleged sex scandals.The pope said the attendance of an interparliamentary association on the defence of ethics at his general audience in Saint Peter's Square "offers me the opportunity to underline the importance of ethical and moral values in politics."
Thousands of others also attended.
His remarks came as the 72-year-old Berlusconi was embroiled in a host of scandals from his links to an aspiring teen model, parties at his private mansion and claims that he paid for sex, an allegation he has denied.
Berlusconi said last week he would not change and claimed Italians wanted him as he was.
On Friday, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Italy's top prelate, called on politicians to show "consistent" behaviour.
The Vatican also said Wednesday the pope would release the third encyclical of his papacy on July 7.
Expected to focus on social and development themes, the theological letter aimed at setting out the pope's views is to be called "Charity in Truth," the Vatican said in a statement.
Speaking of the text last month, Benedict mentioned the financial crisis.
"The financial and economic crisis that has hit industrialised countries, emerging countries and developing countries shows in an obvious way how much we must rethink certain economic and financial models that have been dominant in recent years," he said.
Previous encyclicals from Benedict touched on what he said was the collective hope offered by Christianity and the "theological virtues" of faith, hope and charity.
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