Pope urges end to Tibet violence

VATICAN CITY, March 19 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI spoke out against the violence wracking Tibet during his public audience on Wednesday.

The pope said he was following developments in Tibet and was pained by the news of the violent clashes between Chinese troops and Tibetans seeking independence.

The Catholic World News said Benedict didn't take sides in the dispute but he said in his statement that both sides should show "courage to choose the path of dialogue and tolerance."

"Violence doesn't solve problems but only aggravates them," he added.