Geldof invites Pope, Mandela and Dalai Lama to Live 8

Bob Geldof has asked the world's most prominent figures, including Pope Benedict XVI, the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela to take part in the anti-poverty rally and Live 8 charity concert this summer to mark the first day of the G8 Summit of world leaders.

The campaigning rocker has urged the moral and religious leaders to address crowds at the events in Edinburgh, Scotland in person or via satellite link-up, to prompt leaders of the world's eight largest industrial countries to help impoverished African nations.