Vatican City, Dec 15, 2009 / 12:02 pm
Pope Benedict XVI made his message for World Day for Peace public on Tuesday morning in preparation for its observation on January 1, 2010. In his message, he calls for global solidarity in action to provide for the world's needs and to protect the environment. However, the Holy Father also stresses that we must be continually aware of the value of people over and above all other living things.
An attitude of "global solidarity" is essential in shaping our efforts to protect creation through a better internationally-coordinated management of the earth's resources, writes the Pontiff, emphasizing that this is important "particularly today, when there is an increasingly clear link between combating environmental degradation and promoting integral human development."
The "real motivation" to protect nature and ensure the future of humanity must be based on the "quest for authentic worldwide solidarity inspired by the values of charity, justice and the common good," he explains.
Reflecting on the specific role of the Church in this battle, Pope Benedict says that its duty is "towards creation, and she considers it her duty to exercise that responsibility in public life, in order to protect earth, water and air as gifts of God the Creator meant for everyone, and above all to save mankind from the danger of self-destruction."