Pope wants crosses back in public places

Pope Benedict called for the return of the Christian cross to public spaces yesterday, his latest plea against Europe's growing secularisation.

"The modern age believed that if we put God aside and followed only our own ideas and our own desires we would become truly free, but this has not happened," Pope Benedict said during a Mass at his summer retreat.

"It is important that God is visible in public and private houses, that God is present in public life, with the sign of the Cross visible in public places."

Former Roman Catholic stronghold France banned large Christian crosses, Jewish skullcaps and Muslim headscarves from its state schools last year in an attempt to foster a secular society in the face of growing Islamic fervour.

Italian Muslim activist Adel Smith also gained legal backing to have crosses taken off the walls of an Italian school, although the decision was later overthrown following a backlash from the Vatican and lawmakers.

Pope Benedict is warming up for his first international trip this week since the death of his charismatic predecessor Pope John Paul.

The 78-year-old German goes to Cologne in his homeland for four days to conclude the Church's World Youth Day aiming to reinvigorate Christianity for Catholic youth as the Vatican confronts dwindling church attendance in the Western world.