In a world that is becoming "more and more interdependent", because of "the formidable development of the mass media and the ensuing expansion of the network of social relations", it is now "even more urgent for the Church to promote cultural development". It was said by the Pope who, in receiving in audience, today, the members of the Papal Council of Culture, gathered in Rome over these days to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute, exhorted them to stake "on the human and spiritual quality of their messages and contents", because "today culture is inevitably affected by the globalisation processes, which, unless endlessly supported by vigilant wisdom, can turn against man and eventually make him poorer rather than richer". Established by John Paul II on May 20th 1982, the Ministry has been led by card. Paul Poupard since 1988, said Benedict XVI, who thanked him for his "human and spiritual qualities". "In establishing this new Ministry highlighted the Pontiff , my venerable predecessor highlighted that it would have to pursue its goals through dialogue with everyone, without distinctions of culture or religion": a task, this one, that is still relevant today, before the "great challenges" which "evangelisation is confronted with".
