Vatican City, Feb 7, 2010 / 11:31 am
Following the recitation of the Angelus on a crisp, clear winter day in Vatican City, Pope Benedict expressed his solidarity with the Italian bishops in celebrating the "National Day for Life." The Holy Father reiterated his call for integral human development in the fight against poverty.
The "National Day for Life" is celebrated throughout Italy on the first Sunday of February. Pope Benedict XVI joined in the Day's 2010 observation as he dedicated his post-Angelus message to the cause.
Referring to the current global economic crisis, he pointed out that "mechanisms" that hurt and offend life have become increasingly dramatic these days, "producing poverty and strong social inequalities" and "striking the weakest and most defenseless."
This climate, he continued, leads us to recognize the need to work for the promotion of "an integral human development to overcome indigence and need, this above all reminds us that the goal of man is not well-being, but God himself, and that human existence must be defended and promoted in every one of its stages."