Pope : Church seeks defense of human rights, not privilege for self

Pope Benedict XVI led a Rosary Thursday evening at the Basilica of St Mary Major, entrusting the people of Italy to the protection of the Virgin Mary. Italy this year is marking the 150^th anniversary of independent and unified nationhood.

On Thursday, starting in the late Roman afternoon at the Basilica of St. Mary Major – which is, as Pope Benedict XVI noted in his homily, the first Basilica in the West to be dedicated to the Virgin Mother of God – the Holy Father entrusted the whole people of Italy to the protection of Mary, Mother of Unity.

In remarks of greeting to the Holy Father, the President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco of Genoa talked of the Catholic roots of the Italian people as the firm foundation of political unity and backbone of society. Pope Benedict himself remarked that in Italy as in the whole world, “The Church does not pursue privileges,” nor does She intend to act as a stand-in for political institutions or try to meet their responsibilies.

“Respectful of the legitimately secular character of the State,” said Pope Benedict, “the Church is careful to uphold the fundamental rights of man.”Listen to Chris Altieri’s report: