Pope calls for peace, renewed U.N. efforts

Jan 1, 2006, 17:33 GMT

Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI in his New Year's address Sunday urged individuals and world bodies to renew their efforts for peace in the face of 'terrorism, nihilism and fanatical fundamentalism'.

In his first New Year's mass, the pope said a new surge of courage and confidence in people and God was required to pursue peace.

That effort must come from individuals as well as countries, international organizations and world powers, he said.

The Roman Catholic leader also called on the United Nations to be zealous in meeting its responsibility to spread 'justice, solidarity and peace' in the world.

The German pontiff told thousands of faithful who gathered in St. Peter's Basilica that dialogue, forgiveness and solidarity were necessary to achieve peace, which was endangered by 'terrorism, nihilism and fanatical fundamentalism'.

Since 1967, January 1 has been the Catholic Church's traditional World Peace Day.

In a message published ahead of the day, Pope Benedict had said an unquenchable desire for peace was rooted in the hearts of all people, but terrorism continued to prevent peace as it was keeping the world in a state of fear and insecurity with its threats and actions.