BENEDICT XVI IN BRAZIL: AT SAO PAULO AIRPORT, "FAMILY, YOUTH" AND DEFENCE OF THE "VALUES OF THE NATIVE POPULATIONS"

"The Church – went on Benedict XVI in his official speech at São Paulo airport, speaking of the V General Conference of the Episcopacy – only wants to point at the moral values of every situation and educate the citizens, so that then they can freely make their own decisions; in this sense, it will not fail to insist on the efforts that must be made to make sure the family will be strengthened as the core of society; of youth, whose education is a decisive factor for the future of a nation – and, last but not least, by defending and promoting the underlying values of every social class, especially the native populations". "Brazil has a very special place in the Pope’s heart – went on Benedict XVI –, not only because it was born Christian and now has the highest number of Catholics, but mostly because it is a nation full of potentials with an ecclesial presence that is cause for joy and hope for all the Church". "This country – he commented – must act as a cradle for the ecclesial proposals that, God willing, can give a new lease of life and a missionary boost to this Continent".