Pope Francis at the Movement for Life, Italy

Manuel Cubías – Vatican City

The Movement for Life (MPV) is the federation that brings together more than 600 local movements, centers and services to help the lives and homes that currently exist in Italy. Its purpose is to promote and defend the right to life and dignity of every person, from conception to natural death, promoting a culture of acceptance of the weakest and most defenseless and, above all, of the child conceived and not born.

The Movement has local offices throughout the country and is divided into 20 regional federations. The current president, elected for the triennium 2018-2021, is Marina Casini.

Pope Francis begins his speech by thanking the President of the Pro-Life Movement for the work of his organization in the service of life. Just as he remembers the origin of the movement founded 41 years ago by the Italian bishops.

The defense of life is the work of all

Then, he defines the general premise of his speech: "the defense of life is not done in one way or a single gesture, but is done by a multiplicity of actions, attentions and initiatives; it does not only concern certain people or professional fields, but also all citizens and the complex network of social relations. "

For the bishop of Rome, "the defense of life has its point of support in welcoming those who are born and are still in the womb, wrapped up in the bosom of mother as in a loving embrace that unites them ".

I take care of you

He also expresses his appreciation for "the theme chosen this year for the project of European competition for schools:" I take care of you. "The model of motherhood" invites us to consider conception and birth not as a mechanical fact or physical, but from the point of view of the relationship and communion that unites women and their children. "

The pope emphasizes that "this year's Day of Life is reminiscent of a pbadage from the prophet Isaiah that moves us every time, recalling the wonderful work of God:" I am doing something new! (Is 43:19), says the Lord, leaving his heart still young and his enthusiasm generating each time, as in the beginning, something that did not exist before and brings an unexpected beauty ".

Life is not consumed

Francisco expresses the danger of viewing life as an object of disposable consumption: "Even life is reduced to consumer goods, to be used and thrown away, for ourselves and for others. rooted and what suffering it causes to the weakest of our brothers! "

In his message, the Pope calls children and young people: "Dear children, you are a resource for the Movement for Life, for the Church and for society, it is good to devote time and energy to the protection of life and the support of the poorest ".

Finally, he thanks the Italian Movement for Life, all his work and calls the politicians, whom he remembers of his responsibility towards the whole society:

"For them to place as a cornerstone of the common good the defense of the lives of those who are about to be born and make their entry into society, to which they bring novelty, future and hope. not be conditioned by a logic that points to personal success or immediate or partisan interests, but always look away. "