THE PATH TO PEACE

The path to the attainment of the common good and to peace is above all that of respect for human life in all its many aspects, beginning with its conception, through its development and up to its natural end.

"TRUE PEACEMAKERS"

True peacemakers ... are those who love, defend and promote human life in all its dimensions ... Life in its fullness is the height of peace. Anyone who loves peace cannot tolerate attacks and crimes against life.

"FALSE PEACE"

Those who insufficiently value human life and, in consequence, support among other things the liberalization of abortion, perhaps do not realize that in this way they are proposing the pursuit of a false peace.

NO HAPPINESS OR PEACE

The flight from responsibility, which degrades human persons, and even more so the killing of a defenseless and innocent being, will never be able to produce happiness or peace.

PROTECT THE WEAKEST

... How could one claim to bring about peace, the integral development of peoples or even the protection of the environment without defending the life of those who are the weakest, beginning with the unborn.

"IRREPARABLE DAMAGE"

Every offense against life, especially at its beginning, inevitably causes irreparable damage to development, peace and the environment.

THE FAMILY AND LIFE

The family has a natural vocation to promote life; it accompanies individuals as they mature and it encourages mutual growth and enrichment through caring and sharing.

TOMORROW'S PEACEMAKERS

It is in the family that peacemakers, tomorrow's promoters of a culture of life and love, are born and nurtured.

(Source: Message for 2013 World Day of Peace, issued 12/8/12)