'Businessmen have no morals'

2006-03-04 18:39

Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI says entrepreneurs often lack a strong moral foundation and has called for businessmen to adhere to values recognising the importance of the family.

Benedict made the comments during an audience with about 8 000 members of an Italian Christian entrepreneurial association on Saturday.

He said he appreciated the group's pledge to not exploit workers, and to recognise the importance of the family and personal responsibility in their policies.

Benedict said: "These are values which, unfortunately because of current economic problems, often risk being ignored by entrepreneurs who don't have a solid moral inspiration."

To combat the trend, he said, it is important for Christian businessmen to draw on values from their religion.

- AP