The Vatican yesterday defended Pope Benedict's decision to avoid direct condemnation of organised crime during a trip to a southern area of Italy infested by the Camorra -- one of the country's most ruthless criminal organisations.

The Pope made a day-long trip to Pompeii to say Mass and pray the rosary at a sanctuary in the modern section of the city whose adjacent ancient ancestor was buried in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

In his speeches, Benedict did not use the words 'organised crime' or 'Camorra', as the local mafia is known. His only reference to crime came when he said prayer was "a spiritual weapon in the struggle against evil and every form of violence." A Vatican spokesman said the Pope had intentionally avoided mentioning the Camorra.

"The trip has a strictly spiritual dimension and it was out of respect for the fact that most people from this area are honest and not members of organised crime," he said. Modern Pompeii is one of a string of bleak, run-down towns where the crime group has a strong presence.

The Camorra, which makes its money in extortion rackets, drug trafficking, and smuggling, was recently the subject of a hit movie, 'Gomorra' -- based on the bestselling book of the same name by Roberto Saviano.

Last week, Mr Saviano said that he would flee Italy to try to lead a normal life after reports emerged that the mob has ordered him to be killed by Christmas.