Pope urges "legitimate redistribution" of wealth by the state to poor in spirit of generosity

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis is calling for governments to redistribute wealth to the poorest and for a new spirit of generosity to take hold.

Francis made the appeal during a speech Friday to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the heads of major U.N. agencies who are meeting in Rome this week.

The pontiff has frequently lashed out at the injustices of capitalism and the global economic system that excludes so much of humanity.

On Friday, he called for the United Nations to promote an "ethical mobilization" of solidarity with the poor and a new spirit of generosity that also addresses the root causes of poverty and hunger.

He called for "the legitimate redistribution of economic benefits by the state, as well as indispensable cooperation between the private sector and civil society."