"It is necessary to bear concrete witness to the fact that respect for life is the first form of justice that must be applied," says Pope.

Pope Benedict XVI met with thousands from the Italian Movement for Life in the Hall of Blessing yesterday. He stated that abortion, rather than actually solving any problems, has instead "opened another wound in our societies."

The Movement for Life is proposing several pieces of legislation on the 30th anniversary of the legalization of abortion in Italy. The group, led by Carlo Casini, stands for the right to life at conception, the institution of marriage as being between a man and a woman, and the right of all conceived children to be born and raised in a family with parents.

The pope also reiterated that this year is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. During his visit to the UN, the pope drew attention to this fact and urged the world body to recognize that their document is based on natural law.