Pope John Paul has expressed solidarity with the people of the Brazilian state of Roraima, where huge fires burnt for two months until early April.

During a public address at his summer residence in Italy, the Pope referred especially to the Yanomami Indians, who he said had been deprived of their livelihood.

Last week the United Nations asked donor countries for food and medicines to help people affected by the fires and the drought in the area.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service