Pope urges world to continue its fight against HIV/AIDS


VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As the number of people affected by HIV/AIDS continues to rise, Pope Benedict XVI urged the world to persevere in its fight against the disease and offer needed assistance to those hit by the virus.

On the eve of the Dec. 1 World AIDS Day, the pope made the special appeal at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square.

The U.N.-sponsored day "aims to draw attention to the scourge of AIDS and invite the international community to a renewed commitment in the field of prevention and supportive assistance for those" affected by the virus, said the pope.

Approximately 40 million people live with HIV, and nearly 5 million people were infected by the virus in 2004 alone, according to figures released by UNAIDS, the joint U.N. program on HIV/AIDS. More than 3 million people died last year because of AIDS, it said.

Calling the latest statistics alarming, the pope expressed his solidarity with those suffering from AIDS and their families.

He encouraged the people who worked through "the many initiatives dedicated to overcoming this disease," especially the work carried out by the church.

"Closely following Christ's example, the church has always considered healing the sick an integral part of its mission," he said.

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