"Poverty should be given the highest attention and priority, for the sake of poor and rich countries alike", Pope Benedict XVI urged the Group of Eight (G8) summit.

Expressing happiness, he said, "I welcome the fact that the question of poverty, with specific reference to Africa, now appears on the agenda of the G8."

He has urged the Group of Eight summit to mull over debt cancellation for the world's poorest and

large-scale investment for fighting killer diseases such as AIDS and malaria.

In a letter to the German chancellor Angela Merkel, Pope pointed out that while provisions should be made for unconditional debt cancellation of poor countries, measures should also be taken to ensue that they do not fall into debt trap again.

Highlighting the role of developed countries in this regard he said, "Developed countries must recognize and implement fully the commitments they have made with regard to external aid."

"Moreover, a substantial investment of resources for research and for the development of medicines to treat AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other tropical diseases is needed," affirmed the Pope.

"It is a grave and unconditional moral responsibility, founded on the unity of the human race, and on the common dignity and shared destiny of rich and poor alike, who are being drawn ever closer by the process of globalization", opined Pope Benedict XVI.

Pointing out to the role of the international community he said, "it must continue to work for the substantial reduction of both the legal and the illegal arms trade, the illegal trade of precious raw materials, and the flight of capital from poor countries, as well as for the elimination of money-laundering and corruption of officials of poor countries."

"While these challenges should be undertaken by all members of the international community, the G8 and the European Union should take the lead", added Pope Benedict XVI.