Moving on to concrete recommendations, Benedict also stressed the need to support young couples in forming their own families and in educating their children.
Noting the sometimes overwhelming cost of rent and of nursery schools, he said, "It is a grave error to obscure the value and the functions of the legitimate family based on marriage, attributing to other forms of union inappropriate forms of legal recognition, for which there is no real social need."
He also asked that attention be given to "the protection of nascent human life," that there be no lack of "concrete assistance" to pregnant women experiencing difficulties, and that there be no introduction of drugs "that hide in one way or another the severity of abortion as a choice against life.”
The Pope then highlighted proper care and respect for the elderly saying, “In an aging society help for the elderly and all the complex problems concerning the health care of citizens becomes ever more important."
Benedict encouraging the local leaders to continue with efforts being made in these matters and said that "continuous scientific and technological developments in the field of healthcare and the commitment to contain costs should be promoted while maintaining firm the principle of the central importance of the sick person."
In the face what he called "cases of psychological suffering and illness," the Pope stressed the importance of giving "adequate help to families who often find themselves having to face extremely difficult situations."
He concluded his time with the civil authorities by expressing his satisfaction at the "growth over these years of various forms of collaboration between ecclesial volunteer organizations and the public administration of Rome city, province and region in the work of alleviating old and new forms of poverty which, unfortunately, afflict a large part of the population, especially many immigrants."