VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict has urged leaders of the Group of Eight countries meeting next week in Italy to rewrite global financial rules and defend the world's poor from the effects of the economic downturn.
In a letter to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who will chair the summit, Benedict appealed to leaders to "listen to the voice of Africa" and other developing areas.
He also called on them to "reform the international financial architecture" to ensure credit is made available for economic development and job creation.
The letter, published by the Vatican today, was signed last Wednesday.
The G8 leaders will meet for three days starting Wednesday in L'Aquila.
