Pope speaks on Algeria and African conflicts

Pope John Paul the Second has strongly condemned massacres in Algeria and spoke against armed conflicts and the tragedy of refugees in Africa.

In his New Year address to the diplomatic corps in the Vatican, the head of the Roman Catholic Church said that to kill in God's name was to misuse the divine name and blaspheme.

Turning to Central Africa, the Pontiff spoke of intimidation and killing which still continued there.

The Pope said that Africa would never experience peace and development if violence was the norm in attaining power.

He also appealed to Africans to forego reliance on outside assistance in all spheres and foster regional solidarity.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service