Pope Francis sent from the hospital a message addressed to the members of the movement for life in Italy, gathered this Saturday in Rome to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its foundation.
The Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, read the message of the Holy Father at the Mass held this morning in the Basilica of San Pedro del Vaticano.
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In his message, the Pontiff exalted the work of the movement, especially for his concrete solidarity, “lived with the style of closeness and proximity”, to mothers who have a difficult or unexpected pregnancy: “You promote the culture of life in a broad sense,” he said.
After citing its founder, the Italian politician Carlo Casini, and the roots of this movement born in Florence in 1975, the Holy Father encouraged them to continue “with the social protection of motherhood and the reception of human life in all their stages.”
In this context, the Pontiff stressed that over time they have decreased “ideological prejudices”, although he regretted that the “discard culture” has been disseminated at the same time.
“Today, more than ever, people of all ages are needed specifically to the service of human life, especially when it is more fragile and vulnerable; Because it is sacred, created by God for a big and beautiful destiny; And because a fair society is not built eliminating the unwanted and unwanted, the elderly who are no longer autonomous or incurable patients, ”he said.
For the Holy Father, “to free women from the conditioning that push them not to give birth to their child is a principle of renewal of civil society.”
Faced with a structured society “on the categories of possessing, making, producing, appearing,” Pope Francis stressed that the commitment of movement for life, in harmony with that of the entire Church, “indicates a different project, which puts in the center the dignity of the person and privileges the weakest.”
“The conceived represents, par excellence, every man and woman who does not count, that he has no voice. Putting off your side means to sympathize with all the discarded from the world. And the gaze of the heart that recognizes it as one or one of us is the lever that moves this project, ”he said below.
This March 8, Women’s Day, Pope Francis encouraged them to continue “betting on women, for their capacity for reception, generosity and courage.”
“Women must be able to have the support of the entire civil and ecclesial community, and life aid centers can become a reference point for all. I thank you for the pages of hope and tenderness that help write in the book of history and remain indelible: they carry and carry many fruits, ”he added.
Finally, he entrusted to the intercession of Santa Teresa de Calcutta, spiritual president of the movements for life in the world.
Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
I am graduated in journalism and advertising from the CEU San Pablo University of Madrid. Specialized in religious information in Spain since 2015. I have been a senior correspondent for ACI Press and Ewtn News in the Vatican for two years and I am currently a correspondent from Europe based on Spain.