BBC: Pope Benedict XVI has urged Christians to help society combat intolerance to foreigners amid a row over criticism of the government by Roman Catholics.
An article in the country's biggest circulation Catholic weekly magazine criticised the government's crackdown on illegal immigrants.
Talking at his summer residence near Rome, the Pope spoke of worrying displays of racism in some countries.
While he did not name them, he clearly intended to include Italy.
The Pope said that while racism was often tied to social and economic problems, these could never justify contempt or racial discrimination.
Taking his cue from an Old Testament passage about the duty of welcoming foreigners, the Pope said peace and justice could only be created in a world where every human person was respected. Pope Urges Fight against Racism >>> By David Willey, BBC Rome | August 17, 2008
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – Italy)
