VATICAN CITY  —  Pope Benedict XVI is warning that pollution in the world could destroy our present and our future.

But his message in an Epiphany Day homily Tuesday in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City is that people should not lose heart in tackling the challenge.

Benedict is encouraging what he calls people's efforts to liberate human life and the world from "poisons and pollution." He says even though such efforts against "hostile forces" might not seem successful, Christian hope gives courage and guidance.

In his homily the pope also urged people to be hopeful during the global economic crisis. Benedict denounced the bloodshed in conflicts in many regions of the world, but named no countries.