Pope urged parties in Sri Lanka to find a negotiated solution

In his traditional Easter message, the Pope said Sri Lanka's need of the moment is peace.

"In Sri Lanka, only a negotiated solution can put an end to the conflict that causes so much bloodshed," Pope Benedict said.

He called on Christians all around the world to work for peace in a world afflicted by a thousand faces of violence.

'Thousand faces' of violence

"I am thinking of the scourge of hunger, of incurable diseases, of terrorism and kidnapping of people, of the thousand faces of violence which some people attempt to justify in the name of religion, of contempt for life, of the violation of human rights and the exploitation of persons."

In Sri Lanka, only a negotiated solution can put an end to the conflict that causes so much bloodshed Pope Benedict

In a message from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Pope called to mind conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

In Africa, he listed Darfur, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Zimbabwe as places of suffering.

Africa's conflicts

"In Darfur and the neighbouring countries there is a catastrophic, and, sad to say, underestimated, humanitarian situation".

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pope Benedict said, the violence has raised fear for the future and the reconstruction efforts of the Republic.

"In Somalia, the renewed fighting has driven away the prospect of peace, and worsened the regional crisis, especially with regards to the displacement of populations, and the traffic of arms".

He said Zimbabwe is also on the brink of a "grievous crisis".

The Pope criticised those who used religion to justify violence, human rights abuses and exploitation.

He said that Iraq was being torn apart by continual slaughter as the civilian population fled.