Pope calls families to unite and mobilize efforts

(January 19, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI encouraged thousands of families in Mexico and around the world to mobilize themselves to promote a culture and politics of the family. The Pope said this in a video message he sent to those participating in the closing Mass of the VI World Meeting of Families, which ended on Sunday in Mexico City. The five-day international event was held under the theme "The Family, Educator in Human and Christian Values." The video message was screened on Sunday before the end of the closing Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Pope Benedict said families should unite join associations that promote the identity and rights of the family, according to an anthropologic vision that is coherent with the Gospel; and in turn these associations should coordinate themselves and collaborate with each other so that their actions be more incisive. He called the family a "vital cell of society, the first and decisive resource for its development, and many times the last refuge for those whose needs aren't met by the established social structures." "For its essential social function," he explained, "the family has the right to be recognized in it proper identity and to not be confused with other forms of living together." He called for the cultural, legal, economic, social and medical protection of the family. Pope Benedict concluded by announcing that the next World Meeting of Families will be hosted in Milan, Italy. The theme of the 2012 event will be on the theme "Family, Work and Celebration."