VATICAN CITY, FEB 5, 2006 (VIS) - Pope Benedict XVI prayed the Angelus today with thousands of pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square. Among those present were representatives from Movement for Life, an Italian organization, accompanied by Cardinal Camillo Ruini.
In his reflections before the Marian prayer, the pope recalled that the Day for Life celebrated in Italy "constitutes a precious occasion of prayer and reflection on the themes of the defense and promotion of human life, especially when it is found in conditions of difficulty. Present in St. Peter's Square are numerous lay faithful who work in this field, some committed in the Pro-Life Movement."
The Holy Father later invited all those present to reflect over the Italian bishops' message, which has as its theme "Respect of Life," "I remember our beloved Pope John Paul II, who paid constant attention to these problems. In particular, I would like to recall the encyclical "Evangelium Vitae," which he published in 1995, which represents an authentic cornerstone in the Church's teaching on such a current, decisive question. In framing the moral aspects in a broad spiritual and cultural context, my venerated predecessor confirmed on several occasions that human life is of a primary value that must be acknowledged, and that the Gospel calls for it to always be respected."
Later, Pope Benedict XVI referred to his recent Encyclical, "Deus Charitas Est," on Christian love, to emphasize the importance of the "service of charity" in supporting the promotion of human life. "The culture of life is based, in fact, on attention to others, without exclusions or discriminations. All human life, as such, is worthy of and calls for always being defended and promoted. We know well that this truth runs the risk of being contradicted often by the widespread hedonism in the so-called welfare societies: Life is exalted while it is enjoyable, but there is a tendency to stop respecting it when it is sick or experiences some kind of disability."
"On the contrary, from profound love for every person, it is possible to apply effective forms of service to life: both nascent as well as that marked by marginalization or suffering, especially in its terminal phase.
"The Virgin Mary received with perfect love the Word of life, Jesus Christ, who came into the world so that men "may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). We commend to her women who are expecting a child, families, health agents and volunteers committed in different ways in the service of life.
ANG/PROMOTION OF LIFE/RUINI VIS 20060206 (440)
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