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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus
Message
On Nuclear Technology
"Let Us Pray That Men Live in Peace"
H.H. Benedict XVI
July 29, 2007
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Arriving the other day from Lorenzago di Cadore, I am happy to find
myself again here at Castel Gandolfo, in the familiar environment of
this beautiful little town, where I plan to stay, if it pleases God,
for the rest of the summer. I feel the strong desire to thank the
Lord once again for having been able to spend tranquil days in the
mountains of Cadore and I am grateful to all those who efficiently
organized my stay there and watched over it with care.
With equal affection I would like to greet and express my grateful
sentiments to you, dear pilgrims, and above all to you, dear
citizens of Castel Gandolfo, who have welcomed me with your usual
cordiality and have always accompanied me with discretion during the
my sojourns with you.
Last Sunday, recalling the Note published 90 years ago on August 1
by Pope Benedict XV directed at the warring countries of the First
World War, I reflected on the theme of peace. Now a new occasion
invites me to reflect on another important question connected to
this theme. This very day, in fact, is the 50th anniversary of the
establishment of the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency,
which was instituted with the mandate to "seek to accelerate and
enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health, and
prosperity throughout the world" (IAEA "Statute," No. II).
The Holy See, fully approving of the IAEA's goal, has been a member
since the organization's foundation and continues to support its
activity. The epochal changes of the last 50 years are evidence of
how, in the difficult crossroads at which humanity finds itself, the
commitment to encourage the nonproliferation of nuclear arms, to
promote a progressive and agreed-upon nuclear disarmament, and to
favor the peaceful and safe use of nuclear technology for authentic
development -- respectful of the environment and always attentive to
the most disadvantaged populations -- is always relevant and urgent.
For this reason I ardently hope for the success of the efforts of
those who work to pursue the three objectives with determination and
the intention to make things such that "the resources which would be
saved could then be employed in projects of development capable of
benefiting all their people, especially the poor." ("Message for the
World Day of Peace 2006," No. 13).
It is well, in fact, to re-emphasize on this occasion how in the
place of "the arms race there must be substituted a common effort to
mobilize resources toward objectives of moral, cultural and economic
development, 'redefining the priorities and hierarchies of values'"
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2438).
We again entrust to the intercession of Mary Most Holy our prayer
for peace, in particular that scientific and technological knowledge
be used with a sense of responsibility and for the common good, in
complete respect for international law. Let us pray that men live in
peace and all feel as brothers, sons of one Father: God.
[Translation by ZENIT]
[The Holy Father made the following remarks after the Angelus:]
And now a plea for the Korean hostages in Afghanistan. The practice
by armed groups of manipulating innocent persons for promoting their
own goals is becoming widespread.
These are grave violations of human dignity, which go against every
elementary norm of civilization and rights and gravely offend the
divine law. I make my plea so that the authors of such criminal acts
desist from the evil done and return their victims unharmed.
[The Holy Father addressed the following words to English-speaking
pilgrims:]
I extend heartfelt greetings to all the English-speaking visitors
here today. In this Sunday's Gospel, the disciples see Jesus
praying, and they ask him, "Lord, teach us to pray." So he teaches
them the "Our Father", and in this way he draws the disciples, and
all of us, into his own prayer. I encourage all of you to be
faithful to prayer, and so to be united with Jesus, in his intimate
relationship with the Father. Upon all of you, and upon your
families and loved ones at home, I invoke God's abundant blessings.
© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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