Vatican City, Nov 2, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Earlier this morning, the Holy Father met with a group of delegates from the Bavarian Parliament and stressed the importance of scientific research and development for mankind. He highlighted however, that it may never come at the expense of human dignity.
Pope Benedict addressed the group, from the Christian-Social Union of the Bavarian Diet (the parliament of Bavaria), in the German language as he praised his own homeland.
Noting the region’s rich history and culture and also pointing out its recent place as an important center for research and technology, the Pope said, "Bavaria unites a heritage of generosity and a rich religious harmony, elements which hold real promise for a future made in man's measure."
He also noted that Bavaria, like many other regions, is facing "the difficult social and economic challenges of our time, ... to which must be added the questions raised by new scientific and technological developments, that confront politicians with an obligation to make the right decisions."