MAY ARGENTINA ACHIEVE PROSPERITY IN THE NEAR FUTURE

VATICAN CITY, APR 7, 2003 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received Eduardo Alberto Duhalde, president of the Republic of Argentina, who completes his presidential term at the end of May. "With your presence here today," said the Holy Father, "without a doubt, you want to express your compatriots' sincere gratitude for the Holy See's contribution to the service of progress, peace, justice and the dignity of the human person."

"Looking at Argentina," he affirmed, "I hope that the patrimony of the social doctrine of the Church may continue to be a valuable instrument of guidance in order to overcome the problems that hinder the creation of a more just, fraternal and unified order."
John Paul II then commented on situations of injustice, saying that "behind them lies a grave moral disorder that will not improve by applying only technical methods, more or less correct, but above all by promoting resolutely a set of reforms that favors the rights and obligations of the family as the natural and irreplaceable foundation of society. In addition, there must be a stimulus for projects for the defense and development of life which take into account the ethical dimension of the person, from conception till natural death, must be fostered."

The Pope encouraged all Argentineans to seek harmony, respecting and defending fundamental human rights, and to work toward building a society "that provides equal opportunities and dispels any shadow of discrimination among its members, without succumbing to the materialistic principles that blind consciences and hearts.

"I pray to God," he continued, "that the nation of Argentina, advancing on the path of unity and effective solidarity, may achieve in the near future the prosperity that its sons and daughters yearn for, after going through such a grave crisis." The Holy Father also asked leaders of the country to make an effort to implement necessary reforms "so that no one lacks the necessary goods in order to develop as a person and citizen."

"May they pay special attention to the weakest sectors of society, the poor in general and the unemployed, the retired and young people, without forgetting those who for obvious reasons have to cross their borders emigrating to other country in search of a better future," he concluded. "Argentineans, placing their trust in God and counting on the help of the international community, must be the main protagonists and architects of a promising and serene history for everyone."

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