VATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict XVI is calling for prayers and concrete action to comfort all those who are suffering from AIDS.
Benedict issued the appeal during his weekly Sunday blessing ahead of World AIDS Day on Tuesday.
He said the Catholic Church has been on the front lines caring for AIDS sufferers with its hospitals and care givers. He said he hoped that with coordinated efforts, the HIV virus can be successfully cured.
Benedict drew unprecedented criticism from European governments, international organizations and scientists in March when he said that distributing condoms was not the answer to Africa's AIDS problem and could make it worse.
He said a moral attitude toward sex _ abstinence and marital fidelity _ would help fight the disease.
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