Pontiff Urges State to Support Families

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 21, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is urging the state support of families so that they can better fulfill their mission to pass on values to children and young people.

The Pope made this appeal Thursday upon receiving in audience Miquel Àngel Canturri Montanya, the new ambassador from Andorra to the Holy See.

"Harmony is possible within countries and between peoples," the Pontiff affirmed. "Juridical inventiveness and good will often enable numerous problems to be solved which, unfortunately, arise between peoples, and favor the much desired international concord."

"Giving all the components of the family the necessary help, it will facilitate effectively social harmony and cohesion," he stated.

The Holy Father added that "the Church can make a positive contribution to the consolidation of the family, weakened by contemporary culture."

He encouraged the promotion of solidarity, which "is raised to the rank of social virtue when it can lean at the same time on structures of solidarity, but also on the firm and persevering determination of each person to work for the common good, because we are all responsible for everyone."

"To arouse the lasting sense of solidarity" Benedict XVI underlined "the education of young people" as "undoubtedly, the best way."

"Whatever your level of responsibility, I encourage each one to show creativity in this realm, to invest the necessary means, and to sow generously for the future, being concerned to give them the necessary ethical bases," he exhorted.

The Pope continued: "With education, it is also appropriate to give the family the support it deserves.

"Basic cell of society, the family fulfills its mission when it is fomented and promoted by the public powers as the first place of apprenticeship of life in society."

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Full text: http://zenit.org/article-31303?l=english