London, Mar 27 (ANI): The prestigious medical journal, the Lancet, has blamed Pope Benedict XVI for distorting science by saying that condoms are not the answer to HIV/Aids.

The journal claimed that the Pope's recent comments that condoms exacerbated the problem of HIV/Aids were inaccurate and could lead to devastating consequences.

In the address during his first visit to Africa, the Pope said that the "cruel epidemic" should be dealt via abstinence and fidelity instead of using condom.

The Pope said HIV/Aids was "a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which can even increase the problem," reports The BBC.

He added: "The traditional teaching of the Church has proven to be the only failsafe way to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids".

However, London-based Lancet said the Pope had "publicly distorted scientific evidence to promote Catholic doctrine on this issue".

The journal claimed that the male latex condom was the single most efficient way to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV/Aids.

"Whether the Pope''s error was due to ignorance or a deliberate attempt to manipulate science to support Catholic ideology is unclear," it said.

Lancet urged the Vatican to issue a retraction, saying: "When any influential person, be it a religious or political figure, makes a false scientific statement that could be devastating to the health of millions of people, they should retract or correct the public record.

"Anything less from Pope Benedict would be an immense disservice to the public and health advocates, including many thousands of Catholics, who work tirelessly to try and prevent the spread of HIV/Aids worldwide." (ANI)