Vatican to participate in expo on water, sustainable development

Published: 2008-05-19

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican said it hopes its participation in a world exposition on water will remind people of their responsibility to safeguard and share this "precious gift." Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said because water is essential to survival everyone, especially the poor, has a right to it. Cardinal Martino said that through the Vatican's presence at the June 14-Sept. 14 Expo Zaragoza 2008 the Vatican hopes to remind people "the role of humanity in protecting water will be enhanced." The cardinal was one of a number of speakers at a May 19 Vatican press conference unveiling plans for the Vatican pavilion at the expo in the northern Spanish city of Zaragoza. The expo is also dedicated to sustainable development. Organizers said 104 nations and organizations were to be represented at the expo -- each with a 6,000-square-foot pavilion.

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