By Felix Nkambeh Tih
ANKARA
The Pope has called on world leaders to remember the poor, work for peace and tackle inequality in the world in a letter sent to Australian Prime Minister ahead of the G20 summit in Brisbane.
In the letter addressed to Tony Abbott - who will host the summit on Nov. 15 and 16 - he asked the head of the Australian state and government "not to forget that many lives are at stake behind these political and technical discussions".
Pope Francis wrote: "Throughout the world, there are far too many women and men suffering from severe malnutrition, an extremely high percentage of young people without work and an increase in social exclusion which can lead to criminal activity and even the recruitment of terrorists."
The Pope said he hoped the decisions made by the leaders of the world's 20 largest economies "will not be restricted to global indices, but will take into account as well real improvements in the living conditions of poorer families and the reduction of all forms of unacceptable inequality".
"It would indeed be regrettable if such discussions were to remain purely on the level of declarations of principle," he added.
- 'Unbearable situations'
Pope Francis also appealed for support for victims of current global crises, especially refugees.
"These conflicts leave deep scars and result in unbearable humanitarian situations around the world. I take this opportunity to ask the G20 Member States to be examples of generosity and solidarity in meeting the many needs of the victims of these conflicts, and especially of refugees," The Pope continued.
He wrote that "the situation in the Middle East has revived debate about the responsibility of the international community to protect individuals and peoples from extreme attacks on human rights and a total disregard for humanitarian law".
"I express these hopes in light of the post-2015 Development Agenda to be approved by the current session of the United Nations Assembly, which ought to include the vital issues of decent work for all and climate change," he added in his letter.
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