Pope Benedict has called for a "deep revision" of the world's "dominant development model", saying "the state of the planet's environment and above all the cultural and moral crisis" are even more urgent than the financial crisis. The International Herald Tribune reports the Pope ushered in the New Year by appealing for solidarity worldwide to fight global poverty made worse by the financial crisis.
"This crisis needs to be looked at in depth, as a grave symptom that requires intervention on its causes," the Pope told crowds in St Peter's Square.
"It is not enough, as Jesus would say, to put a few new patches on an old garment," the Pope said, adding that the world's poor and their needs must become a priority.
He called for a new virtuous cycle of solidarity and sobriety, saying poverty threatened peace the world over.
"The current global economic crisis must also be viewed as a test: are we ready to look at it, in all its complexity, as a challenge for the future and not just as an emergency that needs short lived responses?" the Pope said.
"Are we prepared for a deep revision of the dominant development model to correct it in a concerted and far sighted fashion?
"The state of the planet's environment and above all the cultural and moral crisis ... are demanding this, even more than the immediate financial problems," he added.
Pope Benedict XVI challenged world leaders to make major changes to the global financial system, saying short term answers to the financial crisis weren't sufficient.
"Seen in its profundity, the crisis should be seen as a serious symptom that requires intervention at its root," the pontiff said.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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(Source: CTHN )