Vatican City  - Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday expressed "concern" for the situation in Madagascar where scores have been killed in clashes between government forces and demonstrators.

The pontiff speaking during his traditional Sunday Angelus blessing, called on the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square to pray for an end to the violence in the Indian Ocean island-state.

"The (Roman Catholic) bishops of the island have set aside a special day of prayer today for national reconciliation and social justice," Benedict said.

"Deeply concerned for this particularly critical moment the country is going through, I invite you all to join Madagascan Catholics in praying for those killed in the demonstrations and to entrust (their souls) to the Lord... and for a return to harmony, social tranquillity and civil co-habitation," Benedict said.

The pontiff's appeal came a day after some 40 protestors were killed and some 300 injured inc clashes with government forces in Madgascar's capital Antananarivo.

The violence broke out as some 25,000 people had attended a demonstration in support of Antananarivo ex-mayor Andry Rajoelina, who had declared himself as president and introduced his counter- government to the crowd. dpa