Benedict XVI says that the crisis in Europe is of ethics and faith

Benedict XVI said today that the economic and financial crisis facing Europe is a crisis of ethics and that lack force "able to mislead people and social groups resignations and sacrifices".

The Pontiff made these statements in the speech today addressed to the Roman Curia on the occasion of Christmas, in which also said that the core of the crisis of the Church in Europe is the crisis of faith

The Pope Ratzinger took stock of the year that concludes, marked - said - the crisis in Europe, and his trips to Madrid, on the occasion of world youth day; his hometown Germany, Croatia and Benin, on his second visit to Africa.

On Europe, the Bishop of Rome said: "although they are not in discussion some values such as solidarity, commitment for others, responsibility for the poor and the suffering, lack often however, the force that motivates them, able to induce individuals and social groups to" u000a"resignations and sacrifices".

Benedict XVI added that the knowledge and the will to do not always follow the same pattern and the will which defends self-interest "obscures the knowledge, and weakened knowledge is not able to strengthen the willingness".

The Pope said that fundamental questions arise from this crisis as is where is the light that can illuminate the knowledge of the man not only with General ideas, but with challenges concrete?, and the answer is in the Gospel.

Ratzinger also referred to the crisis of faith in Europe and said that it looks "with concern" how those who regularly attend church are increasingly elderly and their number decreases continually, how a stagnation of vocations to the priesthood and growing skepticism and disbelief.

"If we don't find an answer, if faith does not procure new vitality, with a deep conviction and a real force thanks to the encounter with Jesus Christ" u000a"all other reforms will be ineffective," stressed.

Benedict XVI added that the visit to Benin was a "great encouragement", because in Africa is seen "no sign of fatigue in the faith", and added: "So widespread among us, no boredom of being Christians, as we see more and more in us".

The Pope also referred to the world youth day, which was held in Madrid last August and, said, has also been "a medicine against tiredness of believing".

The Pope said that "more clarity" increasingly looms these global meetings of young people as a new way of being Christians, the demonstration of the universality of the Church, and added: "since, although they come from all continents, and we never felt we know".

"We speak different languages and have different habits, different cultural ways, and yet immediately together, together we are like one big family." u000a"It relativises the separation and external diversity", underlined.

The Pope also stressed these days the work of the volunteers that put - he said - at the disposal of the Church several years of his life without expecting anything in return, but simply by doing good.

He also stressed the spirituality, he recalled the long moments of silence during the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; the presence of the sacrament of penance, which recognized "the need for forgiveness and pardon means responsibility", and the joy of the participants.

The Pope also referred to the meeting of religions in Assisi, the Italian city where he was born san Francisco, and made vows that have served peace, reconciliation and justice.

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