Pope says world economy must change to stop hunger

The global economic system must be radically altered if the world is to start reducing the number of people who live in hunger, Pope Benedict said yesterday.

Citing a recent United Nations report that found there had been no reduction in the number of hungry people since 1990, the Pope condemned "structural" problems in the global economy that diverted riches to a minority of the world's population.

"There is certainly a need to eliminate the structural causes linked to the system of governance of the economic model which allots the majority of resources to a minority of the population," Pope Benedict said in his weekly Sunday address.

The Pope echoed the opinions of his predecessor, John Paul II, who often spoke out against the negative sides of globalisation and several times called for a "new world order" which would give priority to the needs of the poor and hungry.

"To make a large impact, it is necessary to convert the model of global development - something which is not only required by the scandal of hunger, but also by environmental and energy emergencies," he told pilgrims in St Peter's Square.

The UN's Human Development Index (HDI) for 2006, released last week, said the combined income of the 500 richest people in the world now exceeds that of the poorest 416 million people.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation said in a report last month that there were 854 million underfed people in the world and that number was increasing by four million a year.

"Jesus taught his disciples to pray and ask the heavenly Father, not for 'my', but for 'our' daily bread," the Pope said ahead of his weekly blessing.

As well as calling for changes at a global level, Pope Benedict said individuals also needed to ensure their own lifestyles did not add to the problems of hunger and environmental damage.

"Every person and every family must do something to alleviate hunger in the world, adopting a lifestyle and consumption that are compatible with safeguarding creation and with criteria of fairness towards those who cultivate the land in every country," he said.