Pope says hope for justice, world peace lies with youth

Youths dressed as the three Kings greet Pope Benedict XVI as he celebrated New Year's Day with a homily on world peace which stressed the importance of educating youth in moral values, so they could become 'builders of peace.' -- PHOTO: AFP

VATICAN CITY (AFP) - Pope Benedict XVI celebrated New Year's Day with a homily on world peace which stressed the importance of educating youth in moral values, so they could become 'builders of peace.' The pontiff called on the world's religious and educational leaders on Sunday during a mass in Saint Peter's Basilica to counter the 'culture of relativism' by educating the younger generations in peace and justice.

'The culture of relativism raises a radical question: does it still make sense to educate? And then, to educate for what?' the pope said.

'In the face of the shadows that obscure the horizon of today's world, to assume responsibility for educating young people in knowledge of the truth, in fundamental values and virtues, is to look to the future with hope,' he added.

The spiritual leader of the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics said that in an age 'strongly marked by a technological mentality,' the 'social reality in which (children) grow up can lead them to... be intolerant and violent.' If the young are helped to combine 'a profound sense of justice with respect for their neighbour' and 'a capacity to address conflicts without arrogance' they would 'become people of peace and builders of peace,' he added.