ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF A DELEGATION OF JURISTS
OF THE "COMMITTEE FOR PROMOTING STUDIES
IN HONOUR OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II" 

Friday, 19 December 2003

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. I am very pleased to welcome you today for the presentation of a copy of the volume containing reflections and comments by distinguished proponents of rights on topics of great interest. I thank you because on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of my Pontificate, you wanted to complete this initiative in which 420 jurists from various parts of the world, including illustrious scholars of the Hebrew and Muslim religions, have participated. I join you all in the firm belief that in order to protect the human person and his dignity as well as to work toward the common good of and the harmony among peoples, the only path to take is to enforce the "strength" of the ius, in the dutiful respect of every person regardless of the culture, language and religion to which he or she belongs.

2. This is what I also wanted to emphasize in the Message for the upcoming World Day of Peace, calling to mind at the same time the importance and urgency to teach peace. I truly hope that this work of yours will contribute to highlighting better the fundamental duty of the protection of human rights, the merits but also the limits of globalization, and the value of European integration and of peace.

I thank you once again for your accurate study and as I express fervent best wishes for the upcoming Christmas celebrations and for the New Year, I cordially bless you, your families and your loved ones.