Pope calls for programs to help families, encourage childbirth

Published: 2004-02-02

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Marking Italy's annual pro-life day, Pope John Paul II called for new social programs to help families and make it easier for young couples to have children. The pope, speaking Feb. 1 from his apartment window to thousands of pro-life activists in St. Peter's Square, said Italy was facing a "crisis of births" that reflected growing social disinterest in the family and the mission of parents. "Quite a few couples would like children, but they are almost constrained to give up because of economic difficulties," he said. "The assistance of public institutions, although appreciated, is often insufficient. More organic policies in favor of the family are needed," he said. The pope also encouraged the pro-life movement in Italy not to give up the fight against abortion, which has been legal in the country since 1978. "We should not surrender to the attacks on human life, above all to abortion," he said.

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