Pope Benedict XVI was today promoting the church's prescription for coping with the economic crisis - share resources and pare lifestyles down to the essentials.

Benedict spoke about economic problems as he made a day-long pastoral visit to the Tuscan town of Arezzo.

During his homily at Mass, he acknowledged the complexity of the problems made it hard to pinpoint "more rapid and efficient" solutions to the eurozone crisis, which he noted hits the weakest especially hard and is worrying the young as they search for hard-to-find jobs.

The Pope said the Catholic church over the centuries has reacted to such problems by showing concrete solidarity to those in need, sharing resources and "promoting more essential lifestyles".

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