Pope emphasizes importance of rightly formed conscience

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI said the proper formation of conscience requires the ability to listen to "the voice of truth," which is particularly important for people in positions of governing.

The pope, meeting with pilgrims at his summer residence outside Rome July 24, spoke about the biblical figure of King Solomon, who prayed to God at the beginning of his reign for "an understanding heart." The king's prayer was motivated by the responsibility of guiding a nation, but is valid for everyone, the pope said.

Essentially, Solomon was praying for "a conscience that knows how to listen, that is sensitive to the voice of truth and for this reason is capable of discerning good from evil," he said.

Formation of a moral conscience requires this openness to the truth and the willingness to conform one's action to the truth, he said.

"The people called to the task of governing naturally have an additional responsibility and therefore -- as Solomon teaches -- have even more need of God's help. But each person has a part to play, in various concrete situations," he said.

The pope said that praying to God for preferential treatment or conditions reflected a "mistaken mentality." Instead, he said, people should ask above all for the capacity to recognize good and evil and to act on that awareness in their lives.