Baby 7 Billion a Wonderful Gift: Vatican Aide

November 08, 2011: While Oct. 31 found those in some circles worried over the birth of the 7 billionth person on earth (according to United Nations calculations), the Vatican spokesman had a different message for the child: You are unique and special, you are a wonderful gift, you are a miracle, and so you are welcome.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi addressed his weekly editorial to the 7 billionth child, framing this milestone in a context entirely different than those prognosticating population woes.

"Dear baby number 7 billion! I don't know if you are a girl or a boy, whether you are Indian or Chinese, born in a great city or a tiny village ……," the Jesuit wrote.

Father Lombardi admitted the world that this child is coming into is "a bit complicated" and "not friendly for everyone." "We haven't done a very good job preparing it for you," he said.

In an allusion to the Group of 20 meeting, the priest noted that "the leaders of the richest and most powerful nations are sitting around a table, struggling to find a way forward. We too are asking ourselves about your future."

"But today," he continued, "I want to tell you that you are unique and special, that you are a wonderful gift, that you are a miracle, that your spirit will live for ever, and so you are welcome’ he added.
"Because this is what you were born for. Your Creator and Father made you for this. We will do our part to make this possible; but you will have to do your part, too, because your future will also depend on you and the choices you make -- and it will be up to you to welcome baby 8 billion."