Vatican City: Pope Benedict XVI today called for nations to cut military spending and try to stop the spread of handguns.

"I renew my appeal so that nations reduce their military spending for arms and seriously consider the idea of creating a worldwide fund for peaceful development projects for peoples," Benedict said.

He spoke of his concern in a message to a Vatican seminar about disarmament, development and peace, which was wrapping up two days of discussions. The message was read by a Vatican official.

"Huge material and human resources employed for military expenditures and for armaments are in fact subtracted from development plans for peoples, especially those poorest and neediest of aid," Benedict said.

The pontiff also said he was urging "every effort against the proliferation of light and small-caliber weapons, which fuel local wars and urban violence, and unfortunately kill too many people every day in all the world."

The Pope did not single out any country in his message on disarmament.

Benedict goes next week to the United States, where easy availability of handguns has long been an issue.

Source : PTI