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SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI stressed Friday that religion is a "fundamental right" of all people that transcends borders and can solve conflicts in a world threatened by sinister and indiscriminate violence.
The pontiff mentioned no country in his remarks other than Australia, where he is leading tens of thousands of Roman Catholics in the church's youth festival, but the comments came at a time when the Vatican is engaged in cautious efforts to restore ties with China.
The pontiff met Friday with a group of leaders from other religions, including rabbis and Muslim clerics, at the gothic St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney as part of the Roman Catholic church's youth festival.
He praised Australia's commitment to human rights and goodwill toward other countries.
"It is a nation that holds freedom of religion in high regard," Benedict said. "Your country recognizes that a respect for this fundamental right gives men and women the latitude to worship God according to their conscience."
