“Every life is sacred!”, said Pope Francis on the occasion of the Italian Pro-Life Day. The Pope called for “a courageous education action in favour of human life”, on this Sunday, February 5th, 2017.
“We carry forward the culture of life as the answer to the logic of rejection and demographic decline; we are close and together we pray for the children who are in danger of the interruption of pregnancy, as well as for persons who are at the end of life — every life is sacred! — so that no one is left alone and that love may defend the meaning of life”, Pope Francis said.
Here is a translation of the address Pope Francis gave after praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
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After the Angelus
Dear Brothers and Sister,
Today, Pro-Life Day is being celebrated in Italy, on the theme “Pro-Life Women and Men in the Wake of Saint Teresa of Calcutta.” I unite myself to the Italian Bishops in hoping for a courageous education action in favour of human life. Every life is sacred!
We carry forward the culture of life as the answer to the logic of rejection and demographic decline; we are close and together we pray for the children who are in danger of the interruption of pregnancy, as well as for persons who are at the end of life — every life is sacred! — so that no one is left alone and that love may defend the meaning of life.
We recall Mother Teresa’s words: “Life is beauty, admire it! Life is life, defend it!” be it with the unborn child, be it with the person who is close to dying: every life is sacred!
I greet all those who work for life, the docents of the Roman Universities and those that collaborate in the formation of the new generations, so that they are able to build a welcoming society, fitting for every person.
I greet all the pilgrims, the families, the parish groups and the Associations from different parts of the world. In particular, I greet the faithful of Vienna, Granada, Melilla, Acquaviva delle Fonti and Bari, as well as the students of Penafiel (Portugal) and Badajoz (Spain).
I wish you all a good Sunday. Please, do not forget to pray for me. Have a good lunch and see you soon!
[Original text: Italian]
Translation by ZENIT, Virginia M. Forrester