Rome  - The current world financial meltdown is proof that god-less political and ideological remedies are not capable of preventing global ills, the Vatican's second highest official, Cardinal Tarciso Bertone said Tuesday.

"Through distinct roles, politics needs religion; when God is ignored, the capacity to respect rights and recognize the common good vanishes," said Bertone who, as the Holy See's Secretary of State, holds a position similar to that of prime minister.

He was speaking at conference in Rome organized by the Italian branch of the Aspen Institute, an American nonprofit organization which seeks to promotes leadership values.

Bertone cited Pope Benedict XVI who on a visit to France earlier this month, warned that attempts by mankind to equip itself with god-like powers of creation were doomed to destruction.

"The tragic outcome of all political ideologies... to me seem to be confirmed by the current financial crisis," Bertone said, referring to the stockmarket crash that many analysts have blamed on excessively de-regulated free-market policies and lack of oversight.

"There, where only the pursuit of profit exists, one ends up in nullifying profit itself," Bertone said.

Globalization, according to Bertone, needs to be managed by ethics based on religion, which, the cardinal said, again echoing a concept dear to Pope Benedict, must be rooted in rational thought. (dpa)