Pope urges all to join in prayers for unborn life

(November 15, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI is calling on all Catholics to join in a Vigil for All Nascent Human Life, to be celebrated in local parishes and dioceses Nov. 27. After praying the midday ‘Angelus’ on Sunday together with those gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope recalled that the event is "a joint initiative with the local Churches throughout the world. He has recommended that it be observed in parishes, religious communities, associations and movements too." "The time of preparation for Holy Christmas is a propitious moment to invoke divine protection for every human being called into existence, and also to thank God for the gift of life received from our parent," the Holy Father said. He will celebrate the vigil in St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday, the eve of the First Sunday of Advent. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and the Pontifical Council for the Family collaborated in creating an outline for the vigil, and the U.S. bishops' conference is developing resources for the parishes.