The leaders of the world's richest countries, including U.S. President Barack Obama, are meeting with leaders from African countries in L'Aquila, Italy Friday for talks on food security.The Group of Eight leaders are expected to cap a three-day economic summit with a $15 billion dollar pledge help poor countries fight hunger and develop their own agricultural sectors.
After a breakfast with African leaders, Mr. Obama will hold separate talks with South African officials before departing L'Aquila.
The U.S. leader will then travel to Vatican City where he will meet with Pope Benedict. Earlier this week, the pontiff called for a new global economic justice that is driven by "people-centered ethics" and not just profit.
The White House says Mr. Obama and Pope Benedict are expected to have "frank" talks on issues ranging from abortion to helping the poor.
On Thursday, President Obama said the 17 industrialized and developing countries took important steps to prepare for a December meeting on climate change in Copenhagen.
The nations agreed on a goal for limiting global warming to just two degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels, although they failed to agree on targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Also Thursday in L'Aquila, French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned Israel that any strike against Iran would be a catastrophe for the world. A day earlier, the G8 said in a statement it is losing its patience with Iran's refusal to abandon a suspected nuclear weapons program.
The group also condemned North Korea's nuclear weapons program and missile testing.
The Group of Eight and leaders from Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa also agreed to restart a Doha round of world trade talks by next year.
The G-8 includes the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Russia.
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