Pope Benedict appealed to the international community to help find an end to the violence in Somalia, where clashes have uprooted a million people.

The German pope, addressing pilgrims and tourists at his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square, said he was following events in the African country "with trepidation".

"I appeal to those who have responsibility, at the local and international level, to seek peaceful solutions to bring relief to that dear population," he said.

The Pope also encouraged humanitarian groups that have remained in the country to help Somalis despite the difficulties and dangers.