Vatican City, May 9, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Pope John Paul II underlined the prominent role the Roman Catholic Church has played, and continues to play, in the development of culture throughout human history.
The Pope spoke on the Church’s contribution to culture and the importance of preserving and promoting the development of culture in an address to the ambassadors of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) May 8.
The pontiff stated that culture provides people with the experience of a “truly human life.”
“The world's artistic heritage is a treasure of human creativity; it offers an eloquent testimony of the intelligence of humanity, which participates in the work of the divine Creator,” he said.