Pope welcomes Austria’s new ambassador

(04 February, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday analyzed the relationship between the state and religion and stressed that religion cannot be relegated only to the private sphere. The Pope’s remarks came in an address to Austria’s new ambassador to the Holy See Alfons M. Kloss, who presented his credentials to the Pontiff at a formal ceremony in the Vatican. Underscoring the role of religion in society the Pope spoke about the Catholic Church's role in education and in helping the unprivileged for whom, the Pope said, the Church often acts as a spokesperson. This ecclesial effort which receives widespread recognition in the society, he explained, cannot be reduced to mere welfare as it is rooted in God, who is love. "All the social forces have the urgent and constant task of guaranteeing the moral dimension of culture, the dimension of a culture that is worthy of man and of his life in community," the Pope added. "That is why the Catholic Church will work with all her strength for the good of society." The Holy Father also spoke in defence of the family, which he said is the foundation of human life. The Holy Father said, "The social order finds an essential support in the spousal union of man and woman, which is also directed to procreation.” “Because of this, marriage and the family call for special protection on the part of the state,” the Pope added.