POPE EXPRESSES HIS CLOSENESS TO URUGUAYAN PEOPLE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 6, 2002 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received the new ambassador of the Republic of Uruguay, Daniel Perez del Castillo, on the occasion of the presentation of his Letters of Credence.

The Pope expressed his "closeness to the Uruguayan people whom I entrust to the Almighty so that, in their current social and economic situation, they may find better solutions to reach higher goals of justice, solidarity and progress, according to the Christian spirit which has contributed so much to forge the national identity."

After referring to the recent "social and economic crisis of unusual proportions, which have seriously affected so many households," the Holy Father said: "It is fitting to remember that the social situation will not improve by applying only technical means. As you have made clear, the cultivation of values and respect for the ethical dimension of the person, the family and society must be cared for. For the authentic progress of people honesty, austerity and responsibility for the common good, solidarity, the spirit of service and the culture of work must be fostered. In this way, it will be easier to guarantee complete development for all members of the national community."

John Paul II assured the ambassador that the Church would always defend the inalienable rights of all human beings, "such as the right to life from conception to natural death, the right to be born and raised in a family, to build a stable home and to profess one's religious faith without obstacles, privately and publicly. Fundamental rights of the person cannot be sacrificed for other objectives which are mistakenly considered benefits, for this would attack the true dignity of all human beings."

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