VATICAN CITY -- Pope John Paul has condemned unregulated tourism, saying it has helped to cause an "environmental emergency."
"A certain uncontrolled tourism has contributed, and continues to contribute to such destruction, caused also by tourism facilities built without plans to respect the impact on the environment," he said.
In his message for the Roman Catholic Church's World Day of Tourism, he said tourism had to respect the environment and protect it for future generations.
The 82-year-old pope said tourism was too often the subject of egotistical desire for pleasure rather than contemplation of nature's wonders and that people should look for the spiritual dimension of the appreciation of nature.
He also warned projects that ignore the traditions and rights of local communities can bring "modern forms of colonialism."
The theme of this year's World Day, which will be on September 27, is "Eco-tourism -- Key to Sustainable Development."