Rome, Italy, Sep 9, 2010 / 04:32 am
Dignity is not just a right for a select few human beings, stressed the Pope to European political leaders. Highlighting the need for the recognition of values, rights and duties of all people as Europe faces the future, he posed Christian principles as a solid foundation for action.
Marking 60 years since the adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights, Pope Benedict XVI hosted members of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly after the Wednesday's general audience.
Turning to the agenda of the council which aims to protect the most vulnerable through the promotion of human dignity, the Holy Father said that considering the diversity of society today, "it is imperative to develop the universal validity of these rights as well as their inviolability, inalienability and indivisibility."
Work for the protection of human dignity must be carried out for the benefit of all peoples, the Pope observed, as he also highlighted the risks of relativism poses for values, rights and duties. These three elements, he explained, "are rooted in the natural dignity of each person, something which is accessible to human reasoning."