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Ärende: [1 of 2] Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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                               VIS-Press releases

LET US WORK TO BUILD AN INTEGRAL HUMANISM

VATICAN CITY, JAN 8, 2007 (VIS) - This morning in the Sala Regia of the
Vatican, Pope Benedict pronounced his traditional annual address to members of
the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, in which he analyzed the most
important events of the year that has just ended. He also received greetings
from the ambassadors formulated in a speech delivered by Giovanni Galassi,
ambassador of San Marino and dean of the diplomatic corps. The Holy See
currently maintains diplomatic relations with 175 States, to which must be
added the European Union and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. It also has
relations of a special nature with the Russian Federation and the Palestine
Liberation Organization.

"At the start of the year," the Pope began, "we are invited to turn our
attention to the international situation, so as to focus upon the challenges
that we are called to address together. ... The worsening scandal of hunger is
unacceptable in a world which has the resources, the knowledge, and the means
available to bring it to an end. It impels us to change our way of life, it
reminds us of the urgent need to eliminate the structural causes of global
economic dysfunction and to correct models of growth that seem incapable of
guaranteeing respect for the environment and for integral human development,
both now and in the future.

"Once again I invite the leaders of the wealthiest nations to take the
necessary steps to ensure that poor countries, which often have a wealth of
natural resources, are able to benefit from the fruits of goods that are
rightfully theirs. From this point of view, the delay in implementing the
commitments undertaken by the international community during the last few years
is another cause of concern. So it is to be hoped that the trade negotiations
of the 'Doha Development Round' of the World Trade Organization will be
resumed, and that the process of debt cancellation and reduction for the
poorest countries will be continued and accelerated. At the same time, these
processes must not be made conditional upon structural adjustments that are
detrimental to the most vulnerable populations.

"Equally, in the area of disarmament, symptoms of a developing crisis are
multiplying, linked to difficulties in negotiations over conventional weapons
and weapons of mass destruction and also to the rise in global military
expenditure. Security issues - aggravated by terrorism, which is to be utterly
condemned - must be approached from a global and far-sighted perspective.

"As far as humanitarian crises are concerned, we should note that the
organizations dealing with them need greater support, so that they can be
equipped to provide protection and assistance to the victims. Another concern
which looms ever larger is that of the movement of persons: millions of men and
women are forced to leave their homes or their native lands because of violence
or in order to seek more dignified living conditions. It is an illusion to
think that migration can be blocked or checked simply by force. Migration and
the problems to which it gives rise must be addressed humanely, with justice
and compassion.

"How can we not be alarmed, moreover, by the continuous attacks on life, from
conception to natural death? Such attacks do not even spare regions with a
traditional culture of respecting life, such as Africa, where there is an
attempt to trivialize abortion surreptitiously, both through the Maputo
Protocol. ... Equally, there are mounting threats to the natural composition of
the family based on the marriage of a man and a woman, and attempts to
relativize it by giving it the same status as other radically different forms
of union."

"Other forms of attack on life are sometimes committed in the name of
scientific research. There is a growing conviction that research is subject
only to the laws that it chooses for itself and that it is limited only by its
own possibilities. This is the case, for example, in attempts to legitimize
human cloning for supposedly therapeutic ends.

"This overview of matters of concern must not distract our attention from the
positive elements characteristic of the modern age. I should like to mention
first of all the growing awareness of the importance of dialogue between
cultures and between religions."

"It is also timely to note the growing awareness shown by the international
community of the enormous challenges of our time, and the efforts made to
transform this awareness into concrete action. Within the United Nations
Organization, the Council for Human Rights was established last year, and it is
to be hoped that this will focus its activity on defense and promotion of the
fundamental rights of the person, especially the right to life and the right to
religious freedom."

"Within the framework of development, various initiatives have been undertaken
to which the Holy See has not failed to pledge its support, at the same time
reiterating that these projects must not supplant the commitment of developed
countries to devote 0.7 percent of their gross domestic product to
international aid. Another important element in the collective struggle to
eliminate poverty, in addition to aid - which one can only hope will expand -
is a greater awareness of the need to combat corruption and to promote good
governance. We must also encourage and continue the efforts that have been made
to guarantee human rights to individuals and peoples, for the sake of more
effective protection of civilian populations.

"In considering the political situation in the various continents, we find even
more reasons for concern and reasons for hope. At the outset, we note that
peace is often fragile and even mocked. We cannot forget the African Continent.
The drama of Darfur continues and is being extended to the border regions of
Chad and the Central African Republic. The international community has seemed
powerless for almost four years, despite initiatives intended to bring relief
to the populations in distress and to arrive at a political solution. Only by
active cooperation between the United Nations, the African Union, the
governments and other interested parties will these methods achieve results."

"The situation in the Horn of Africa has recently become more serious, with the
resumption of hostilities and the internationalization of the conflict. ...
With regard to Uganda, we must pray for the progress of negotiations between
the parties, in order to hasten the end of that cruel conflict which has even
seen numerous children enlisted and forced to become soldiers."

"The Great Lakes Region has seen much bloodshed over the years through
merciless wars. Recent positive developments are to be welcomed with interest
and hope, especially the conclusion of the period of political transition in
Burundi and, more recently, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. ... In Rwanda,
I pray that the long process of national reconciliation after the genocide may
finally result in justice, but also in truth and forgiveness. ... Finally, I
should like to mention the Ivory Coast, urging the embattled parties to create
a climate of mutual trust that can lead to disarmament and peace. And I should
like to speak of Southern Africa: in the countries of this region, millions of
people are reduced to a situation of great vulnerability that clamors for the
attention and the support of the international community.

"Among the positive signs for Africa is the wish expressed by the international
community to keep its attention focused on this continent. Likewise, the
strengthening of Africa's continental and regional institutions bears witness
to the desire of the countries concerned to take increasing charge of their own
destiny."

"The apostolic journey that I shall undertake next May to Brazil gives me the
opportunity to turn my attention towards that great country, which awaits me
with joy, and towards the whole of Latin America and the Caribbean. The
improvement in certain economic indicators, the commitment to combat drug-
trafficking and corruption, the various processes of integration, the efforts
to improve access to education, to fight unemployment and to reduce

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