Pope's 'Angelus' message of Sunday, July 12

(July 13, 2009) "The absolutism of technology, which finds its clearest expression in certain practices contrary to life”, could "draw dark scenarios for the future of humanity," warned Pope Benedict on Sunday. Speaking prior to the recitation of his weekly midday “Angelus’ prayer in St. Peter’s Square, the Pontiff urged people to watch out against a development that is only concerned with technological progress, bringing with it the manipulation of embryos, abortion, euthanasia, sterilization, birth control under the pretext of wanting to promote human development. He reiterated the views expressed in his recently published social encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, “Charity in Truth”. "Acts that do not respect the true dignity of the person,” said the Pope, “even when they seem motivated by a 'choice of love', in reality are the result of a 'material and mechanistic conception of human life', which reduces' love without truth to ‘an empty shell to fill arbitrarily' and can thus result in adverse effects in integral human development, " the Pope told a large crowd gathered below his studio window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. He recalled the importance of the just concluded G8 summit, but above all he stressed that "there are social inequalities and structural inequities in the world that are no longer tolerable, which require, in addition to immediate action, a coordinated strategy to find durable solutions." " Anew economic plan” is required “that redesigns development in a holistic way, building on the foundation of ethical responsibility before God and man as a creature of God," the Pope added.
After praying the “Angelus”, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his "deep concern about events in Honduras”, where there was a coup, by the military and the courts, deposing President Manuel Zelaya, who is attempting to return from imposed exile by every available means. The Holy Father called for patient dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation between the supporters and opponents of the ousted president, in order to create conditions to "ensure peaceful coexistence and authentic democratic life" in the overwhelmingly Catholic Central American country. The interim government, installed by Congress after the widely unpopular Zelaya was ousted in a coup last month, accuses Zelaya of contravening the constitution and trying to extend his rule illegally.
Before imparting his final blessing, the Holy Father bade farewell to St. Peter's Square and the city of Rome before setting out on his annual vacation. On Monday the Pope moved to Les Combes, a village in Italy's north-western Alps for two weeks of rest. This is his third vacation at Les Combes since his election as pope in 2005. At Sunday’s “Angelus”, the Pope called on everyone to accompany him with prayers. “Prayer,” he said, “knows no distance and separation: wherever we are, it makes us one heart and one mind." He also urged all travellers going on holidays to be prudent in driving and to respect highway laws. During his July 13-29 vacation the Pope’s Wednesday General audiences as well as private audiences will be suspended. After his stay in the Alps, the Pope will go directly to the papal summer villa at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, until late September.