POPE, ROME'S UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS CONDEMN HUMAN CLONING

VATICAN CITY, FEB 7, 1999 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, before praying the angelus from his study window with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, recalled that "today Italy is observing the Day for Life, whose theme this year is: 'Fatherhood and Motherhood. Gift and Commitment'."

"The invitation to reflect on the greatness of the mission entrusted by the Lord to parents, that of transmitting the gift of life, is clear," he continued. "Looking at the loftiness of this duty, one instinctively thinks about the obstacles that often interfere with having children: the lack of a dignified job, of adequate housing or a healthy and safe environment. And What can one say about those parents who, pursuing an egotistical and hedonistic vision of life, willingly renounce the gift and joy of being fathers and mothers?"

The Holy Father then pointed out that he had received "the declaration against human cloning signed by many faculty members of Rome's universities. In expressing my pleasure for this firm condemnation of human cloning, I wish to encourage university teachers to pursue the path of preparing a new culture of human rights, defending the human person, right from conception, from every form of violation of their dignity. A declaration such as this one becomes even more meaningful in the light of today's Day for Life."
Following the angelus, the Pope had brief greetings in French, Spanish, Slovenian and Croatian for the pilgrims in St. Peter's Square.

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