Rome, Jan 8 (Prensa Latina) Pope Benedict XVI reviewed the main problems confronting humanity and insisted on the need to hold continued dialogue.
This was his particular recommendation regarding the dispute of Iran ó s nuclear program. He also called into account the legitimate demands of the different parts on the status of the Serbian province of Kosovo.
He further called to prevent access to non-conventional weapons to prevent their proliferation.
He criticized the build up of arms and asked for aid for the victims of cluster bombs as well as during natural catastrophes and wars.
He asked for international aid for countries in every continent involved in warring conflicts or devastated by natural disasters.
Referring to Latin America he said that during his visit last year to Brazil he observed ó eloquent signs of hope for the region ó wishing the peoples a growing cooperation as well as an end to internal tensions in each one of them. ó
In another part of his new year ó s speech before 176 ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, the Pope also called for a public debate on the sacred character of human life, now that the UN declared a moratorium on the death penalty.