Pope says South America offers hope to world

VATICAN CITY, May 6 (Reuters) Pope Benedict today called South America ''the continent of hope'' ahead of his trip to Brazil this week.

''I am spiritually preparing myself to meet the Latin American subcontinent where nearly half the world's Catholics live, many of them young people,'' the Pope told the faithful gathered in Saint Peter's square for his noon Sunday address.

''That is why it has been called the continent of hope - a hope that regards not only the Church, but all America and the whole world.'' Pope Benedict will visit Brazil from May 9-14, his first pastoral visit to South America.

REUTERS SM RAI2103