"One of the most worrying paradoxes of our time" is "the inexorable spreading of poverty, in a world that is experiencing unprecedented prosperity, not just in the economic sphere but also in the quickly-developing areas of science and technology". It was said by the Pope, as he received in audience today the members of FAO, on the occasion of their 34th Conference. "Armed conflict, outbreaks of disasters, adverse weather and environmental conditions and the forced mass exodus of peoples": all these "obstacles", according to Benedict XVI, are a reason to "double our efforts to ensure everyone their daily bread" through a "genuine spirit of cooperation" between all "men and women of good will" and starting from "everyone’s inherent dignity at every stage of their life"". "Any form of discrimination and especially those that hinder agricultural development warned the Pope must be rejected, as they are a breach of the right of every man to be ‘free of hunger’". The Church, on its part, is convinced that "the search for more effective technical solutions in an ever-changing, ever-expanding world requires long-sighted plans that cover perennial values based on man’s inalienable dignity and rights". (continued)
