Protect unborn children from moment of conception, says Pope to Brazil

Vatican City, Oct 10, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Pope John Paul II received the Brazilian ambassador this morning and asked that Brazilians “safeguard unborn children from the moment of conception,” “recognize the sanctity of family life,” and be fundamentally committed to the needs of the poor.

The Holy Father said that Brazil is a country "whose majority is Christian," and he asked Brazilians "to continue to foster and spread the values of faith, especially when it means explicitly recognizing the sanctity of family life and safeguarding unborn children, from the moment of conception."

“I am very satisfied that your government considers this an objective which allows for the best efforts and resources to come together," the Pope said to the new ambassador of Brazil to the Holy See, Vera Barrouin Machado, on receiving her Letters of Credence.

The Holy Father said that the Brazilian government's plans to cancel the external debt of some countries "show a specific sign of solidarity and stimulus for populations that live on the sidelines of world development. Such an initiative illustrates that all nations involved in this proposal must be conscious that only action which is courageous and open to sacrifice for the common good of all will contribute to helping the poorest countries."  

"Therefore, sharing the hopes of all Brazilians, I wish to assure you of the firm will of the Church to collaborate through her mission with all initiatives serving 'man in his entirety and all men.'”

“In this way,” he continued, “she will continue in her commitment to promote the awareness that the values of peace, liberty, solidarity and the defense of the needy must inspire public and private life. Faith and following Christ calls the Catholic faithful, also in Brazil, to be instruments of reconciliation and fraternity, in truth, justice and love."