Pope welcomes new year, urges respect for dignity, human rights

Published: 2007-01-02

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Welcoming in the new year at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI said a world suffering from wars and terrorism can find peace only through respect for human dignity and human rights. The pope celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Jan. 1, which the church marks as World Peace Day, and quoted from his peace day message that was sent to governments around the globe. The theme of the message this year was "The Human Person, the Heart of Peace." In order for peace agreements to last, the pope said, they must be based on respect for the dignity of the human being created by God. This dignity is the foundation of peace and cannot be viewed as something subject to popular opinion or negotiations between parties, he said. He urged the international community to make greater efforts to ensure that "in the name of God a world is built in which essential human rights are respected by all." Every Christian has a special vocation as a peacemaker, he said.

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