Pope's Africa Roadmap Says AIDS Mainly an Ethical Problem

Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday signed off on an African roadmap for the Roman Catholic Church that calls for good governance and denounces abuses, while labeling AIDS a mainly ethical problem.

Benedict signed the apostolic exhortation called "The Pledge for Africa" during a visit to the West African nation of Benin, his second trip to the continent as pontiff.

The document says AIDS requires a medical response, but is mainly an ethical problem. Changes in behavior are required to combat the disease, including sexual abstinence and rejection of promiscuity, it adds.

"The problem of AIDS in particular clearly calls for a medical and a pharmaceutical response," it says. "This is not enough however. The problem goes deeper. Above all, it is an ethical problem."

The Catholic Church's position on AIDS and the use of condoms has long been controversial and carefully scrutinized, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, home to nearly 70 percent of the world's HIV cases.

The pope's comments on his first African trip to Cameroon and Angola in 2009 caused a global outcry when he suggested condom distribution aggravated the AIDS problem.

He has since seemed to ease that stance, saying in a book published last year that condom use is acceptable "in certain cases," notably to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

The 135-page document he signed Saturday was a summary of the conclusions of a 2009 synod of African bishops and includes peace, reconciliation and justice as its main message.

It condemns abuses against women and children, while issuing a call for good governance.

Speaking at the basilica in the city of Ouidah, where he signed the document, Benedict addressed those themes.

"These are important issues for the world in general, but they take on a particular urgency in Africa," he said.

"We need but recall the tensions, the acts of violence, the wars, the injustices and abuses of all sorts, new and old, which have marked this year."

Benedict had earlier on Saturday denounced corruption, warning it could lead to violent upheaval, and called on African leaders not to rob citizens of hope.

"At this time, there are too many scandals and injustices, too much corruption and greed, too many errors and lies, too much violence which leads to misery and to death," he said in a speech at Benin's presidential palace.

"These ills certainly afflict your continent, but they also afflict the rest of the world. Every people wishes to understand the political and economic choices which are made in its name. They perceive manipulation and their revenge is sometimes violent."

The pope is on a three-day visit to the West African nation, a voodoo heartland and Catholic bastion where thousands have greeted him joyously, particularly upon his arrival Friday.