Pope cites threats to world peace

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI warned Sunday that terrorism, nihilism and “fanatic fundamentalism” threatened world peace, and he called on individuals, governments and institutions to work together to combat them.

Benedict made the appeal during a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica to mark New Year’s Day, which the Roman Catholic Church celebrates annually as its World Day of Peace.

In his homily, the pope said a “shock” of courage and faith in God was necessary to spread peace, and that everyone must work together to combat the threats to it.

“It becomes ever more important to work together for peace when confronting the situations of injustice and violence that continue to oppress various parts of the world, those that are the new and most insidious threats to peace: terrorism, nihilism and fanatic fundamentalism,” he said.

He said individuals, international organizations and world powers must take responsibility for promoting justice, solidarity and peace.

In particular, he called for the United Nations to assume a renewed understanding of its responsibility to promote peace and justice “in a world ever more marked by the vast phenomenon of globalization.”