Vatican City, Sep 22, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Speaking to visiting Mexican bishops earlier today at the Vatican, Pope Benedict stressed the need for strengthening the family and building up of an authentic culture of life in that country, respectful of the humanity of all its citizens.
The Holy Father said in his address to the prelates that, "Faced with growing laicism that seeks to reduce the religious life of citizens to the private sphere, with no social or public expression, the Church knows very well that the Christian message reinforces and illuminates the basic principles of all coexistence."
In this context, the Pope pointed out how the family as an institution "needs special support, because in Mexico, as in other countries, its vitality and fundamental role are declining, not only because of cultural changes, but also because of the phenomenon of emigration, which brings serious difficulties of various kinds, especially for women, children and young people."
Pope Benedict also addressed the problem of drug trafficking, noting "the continuous efforts made up to now by the State and by various social organizations" to combat it.