Vatican City, May 3, 2004 / 22:00 pm
"For legal systems and juridical instruments to be of real service to all men and women, especially the poor and disadvantaged, they must uphold the whole truth of the human person,” said the Holy Father this morning in an address to members of the World Jurist Association who are holding a conference in Rome.
“It is therefore of utmost importance,” he continued, “that the various expressions of international law recognize and respect those moral and spiritual truths that are necessary for properly defending and promoting the dignity and freedom of individuals, peoples and nations.”
The Pope blessed them and expressed the hope that their work during the conference, which focuses on the legal issues concerning globalization and new economic realities, will make a contribution to this fundamental area of concern.