Vatican City, Nov 3 : Pope Benedict XVI has urged the world's most industrialised countries to resolve the problems that has plunged much of the globe into an economic crisis.

Leaders from the world's 20 biggest economies -- the G-20 -- will meet Thursday in Cannes, France for a two-day summit where they will discuss the economic crisis hurting the US and European economies.

Benedict said he hoped the G-20 "will help overcome the difficulties being experienced at a global level".

These were troubles that "hinder the promotion of authentically human and integral development", the pope said.

Financial markets around the world Tuesday plunged following the announcement of a Greek referendum on proposed austerity measures that would allow the country to receive billions of euros in aid.