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ANGELUS: POPE HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE

VATICAN CITY, 14 NOV 2010 (VIS) - In his remarks prior to praying the Angelus
this Sunday, the Holy Father spoke of the importance that work, especially
agricultural work, has for human life.

Addressing the thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope
recalled how this question is highlighted in today's reading from St. Paul, and
that in Italy the second Sunday of November is dedicated to thanking God for
the end of the harvest. "Although I know that in other areas the farming
seasons are different, I would like to draw from St. Paul's words to reflect
particularly on agricultural work", he said.

"The current economic crisis, which was also examined during the recent meeting
of the G20, must be faced in all its seriousness. It has many causes, and sends
out a strong call for a profound revision in the model of global economic
development. It is an acute symptom which must be added to other even more
serious and already well-known symptoms such as the enduring imbalance between
wealth and poverty, the scandal of hunger, the ecological emergency, and the
now-widespread problem of unemployment. Faced with such a panorama, a strategic
relaunch of agriculture is clearly vital. Indeed, the process of
industrialisation has sometimes overshadowed the agricultural sector which,
though it too has drawn benefit from modern technology, has nonetheless lost
importance, bringing significant consequences also at a cultural level. I
believe it is the moment to call for a re-evaluation of agriculture, not in
nostalgic terms but as a vital resource for the future.

"In the current economic situation", the Pope added, "the
temptation for the
most dynamic economies is to seek advantageous agreements. However, this can
turn out to be harmful to poorer States, prolonging the situation of extreme
poverty suffered by vast numbers of men and women and using up the natural
resources of the earth, which was - as Genesis says - entrusted by God the
Creator to man for him to cultivate and protect".

He went on: "For this reason it is vital to cultivate and spread a clear
ethical awareness, one capable of meeting the most complex challenges of the
present time, educating people in wiser and more responsible consumption
patterns, promoting personal responsibility and the social dimension of rural
activities founded on such perennial values as welcome, solidarity, and sharing
the fatigue of work".

The Holy Father concluded: "Many young people have already chosen this path,
and even a number of university graduates have chosen to dedicate themselves to
agricultural business feeling that in this way they are responding, not only to
a personal and family need, but also to a sign of the times, a concrete
awareness of the common good".
ANG/VIS 20101115 (460)

SUMMARY

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