Europe Beset By Self-pity, Pope Says in First Interview

In his first interview as pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI warned yesterday that Europe was caught up in a crisis of "self-pity" and lacked belief.

Speaking ahead of World Youth Day in Cologne, which begins today, the Pope said he hoped to inject new faith into the thousands of young pilgrims gathering in Germany. But he also spoke about the problems facing the Catholic church, saying that in "modern western society" there were many "lead weights" that were turning people away from Christianity.

"We hope that the meeting of so many people from all continents will give a new impetus to the old continent," the Pope said in an unprecedented interview with Vatican Radio. He added: "We are almost caught up in a kind of self-pity and self-condemnation." Europe had lost touch with its roots, the Pope said, and was instead sliding into "inevitable contradictions".

"I believe that this civilisation, with all its dangers and hopes, can only be tamed and led back to greatness if it recognises again the sources of its power."

The interview, given to Eberhard von Gemmingen, a confidant and head of Vatican Radio's German service, is a scoop. Although the Pope's predecessor, John Paul II, made brief comments to journalists on his plane, this is the first time a sitting pontiff has given a full-length interview.

The Pope's comments came ahead of his first foreign trip as pontiff on Thursday, when he returns to his native Germany to take part in World Youth Day. Nearly 1 million pilgrims are expected to attend.

During his four-day visit, he will give a speech in Cologne Cathedral, hold a special mass, and take a cruise down the Rhine, giving thousands of Germans a chance to see him. He will meet Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and other political leaders campaigning ahead of next month's general election.

But the visit takes place against a backdrop of dwindling interest in Germany in organised religion.