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Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by a Cameroonian nun upon his arrival at the airport in Yaounde on his first trip to the continent as pontiff - Source: Reuters -
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Pope Benedict reaffirmed the Roman Catholic Church's opposition
to the use of condoms in the fight against AIDS as he started a
visit to Africa, where more than 25 million people have died from
the disease in recent decades.
The Pope, who arrived to a tumultuous welcome in the capital of
Cameroon, also said the continent's people were suffering
disproportionately due to the global challenges of food shortages,
financial crises and climate change.
"It (AIDS) cannot be overcome by the distribution of condoms. On
the contrary, they increase the problem," he said in response to a
question about the Church's widely contested position against the
use of condoms.
The disease has killed more than 25 million people since the early
1980s, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, and some 22.5 million Africans
are living with HIV.
His words were some of his most explicit on the use of condoms to
stop the spread of AIDS since his election in 2005.
The Church teaches that fidelity within heterosexual marriage,
chastity and abstinence are the best ways to stop AIDS.
It does not approve condoms but some Church leaders have been
calling for allowing their use in rare cases between married
heterosexual couples where one partner has the disease.
"The only solution is two-fold: the first is a humanisation of
sexuality, a human, spiritual renewal which brings with it a new
way of behaving among people and, secondly, a true friendship,
especially for those who are suffering, a willingness to make
personal sacrifices," he said.
He called for correct behaviour regarding one's body.
Tumultuous welcome
The Pope was greeted by tens of thousands of dancing and singing
people lining the 25 km route from the airport to the city.
With the number of practising Catholics dwindling in the developed
world, Africa is seen as vital to the Church's future.
But the relationship is not without controversy, mainly over the
condoms issue.
"At a time of global food shortages, financial turmoil, and
disturbing patterns of climate change Africa suffers
disproportionately," he told crowds on his arrival.
"More and more of her people are falling prey to hunger, poverty
and disease. They cry out for reconciliation, justice and peace,
and that is what the church offers them," he said.
Speaking to reporters on the plane, the Pope said the economic
crisis was a product of a deficit of ethics in economic
structures.
"Ethics is something that should not be outside economics, but
inside it. The economy does not work if it does not carry an
ethical component inside itself," he said.
In his arrival address to President Paul Biya, Benedict called on
Christians to tackle violence, poverty, corruption and abuse of
power, issues that have continually stifled the continent's
progress.
Many in Cameroon have called on the Pope to send a strong message
to his host, Biya, who has ruled for over 26 years.
Biya's time in power has been marked by accusations of high-level
corruption and human rights abuses.
The security forces this week destroyed street-side stalls that provided an income for thousands, in a bid to clean up the city.
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