(ANSA) - Vatican City, July 23 - Catholics must fight a modern "culture of death" that derives in part from rising levels of poverty, Pope Francis said Wednesday in a message released ahead of a Day for Life marked on July 27 in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
The pope's message urged followers to work "not only to ensure adequate legal protections for the fundamental human right to life, but also to try to bring the merciful love of Christ as a life-giving balm to those troubled by new forms of poverty and vulnerability".
The message was signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and expands the spirit of Day for Life beyond issues of abortion, at times a key message of the event.
The theme of this year's Day for Life is 'Protect and cherish life from its beginning to its natural end,' according to Vatican Radio.
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Catholics must fight 'culture of death,' new poverty - pope
Francis urges greater love for poor, vulnerable