Yahoo! Reports on January 1, 2004

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The world needs a "new international order" to solve its conflicts and ensure peace, Pope John Paul (news - web sites) said in his New Year's Day address Thursday.

"More than ever we need a new international order which draws on the experience and results of the United Nations (news - web sites)," the 83-year-old pontiff said at a mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

"An order which is capable of finding adequate solutions to today's problems, based on the dignity of human beings, on integrating all society, on solidarity between rich and poor countries, on the sharing of resources and the extraordinary results of scientific and technological progress," he added.

The leader of the world's one billion Catholics, who suffers from Parkinson's disease (news - web sites), seemed alert and read all of his homily in a clear voice.

---