Pope says God loves humans in all stages of life, embryo to old age

Published: 2006-02-27

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI said God's love for humans does not differentiate between the stages of embryo, adult or old age. That is one reason why the church proclaims the sacred and inviolable character of all human life, even in the form of a pre-implanted embryo, the pope told participants at a Vatican conference Feb. 27. The conference, sponsored by the Pontifical Academy for Life, was examining the theme "The Human Embryo Before Implantation: Scientific Update and Bioethical Considerations." The pope said the topic was fascinating but very difficult, one that science alone cannot fully fathom. From the church's point of view, neither Scripture nor ancient Christian tradition offers explicit treatment of the subject of embryos, he said. But he said the Bible does reflect an awareness of and respect for human life at its earliest stages. He quoted God's words as recounted in the Book of Jeremiah: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I dedicated you."

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