Pope Benedict XVI, has condemned continuation of violent conflicts and threats of war in the world and stressed the need for a new and shared commitment in pursuit of the common good and development of all men.

Delivering his message Tuesday on the celebration of the World Day of Peace at the Holy Cross Cathedral, the Pope said that it was alarming to see hotbeds of tension and conflict caused by growing instances of inequality between rich and poor, by the prevalence of a selfish and individualistic mindset which also finds expression in an unregulated financial capitalism.

“In addition to the varied forms of terrorism and international crime, peace is also endangered by those forms of fundamentalism and fanaticism which distort the true nature of religion, which is called to foster fellowship and reconciliation among people,” the Catholic Pontiff said.