Bless, O Lord of the centuries and the millennia, the daily work by which men and women provide bread for themselves and their loved ones. We also offer to your fatherly hands the toil and sacrifices associated with work, in union with your Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed human work from the yoke of sin and restored it to its original dignity.

A man, even if seriously sick or prevented in the exercise of its higher functions, is and will be always a man ... [he] will never become a 'vegetable' or an 'animal,'" the Pope said. "The intrinsic value and personal dignity of every human being does not change depending on their circumstances.

The challenge is to make the church's yes to life concrete and effective. The struggle will be long, and it needs each one of you. Place your intelligence, your talents, your enthusiasm, your compassion and your fortitude at the service of life!

The person who does not decide to love forever will find it very difficult to really love for even one day.

We are the people of life, because God, in His unconditional love, has given us the Gospel of Life, and we are called to act accordingly.

We must understand that in order 'to do', we must first learn 'to be', that is to say, in the sweet company of Jesus in adoration.

Life is entrusted to man as a treasure which must not be squandered, as a talent which must be used well.