Letters, Addresses, or Homilies of the Holy Father:

Note: The following talks of Benedict XVI and his predecessors are posted here because they contain some reference to the themes of Priests for Life: the sanctity of life and family, the evils of abortion and euthanasia, and the crucial role of the clergy.

Pope Benedict XVI

World Day of Peace Message 2013 - Blessed are the Peacemakers - Pope Benedict XVI (January 1, 2013)

To the US Bishops on their Ad Limina Visit (January 19, 2012)

Address to Health Care Workers (November 26, 2011)

Africae Munus (November 19, 2011)

"It Is Necessary That the Whole of Society Defend the Right to Life" - Papal Address to Pontifical Academy for Life (February 28, 2011)

Address to H.E. Mr Fernando Felipe Sanchez Campos, New Ambassador of Costa Rica to the Holy See  (December 3, 2010)

Address at a Meeting with the Bishops of England (September 19, 2010)

Ubicumque et Semper (Apostolic Letter in the form of Motu Proprio of the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI establishing the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization) - September 21, 2010

Prayer Vigil on the Eve of the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman (September 18, 2010)

Address at St. Peter's Residence for Older People (September 18, 2010)

Address to the 24th Plenary Session of the Pontifical Council for the Laity (May 21, 2010)

Mass with Social Pastoral Care Organizations (May 13, 2012)

Address to the Pontifical Academy for Life (February 13, 2010)

Address to the Members of the Congregation of the Faith (January 15, 2010)

Address to Members of the Diplomatic Corps for Traditional Exchange of New Year Greetings  (January 11, 2010)

If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation: Message for World Day of Peace (January 1, 2010)

Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for the Eighteenth World Day of the Sick (November 22, 2009)

Visit to the "Holy Infant of Prague" Greeting by the Holy Father (September 26, 2009)

Comments on Caritas in Veritate (July 8, 2009)

Address to Participants in the Fifteenth Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (May 4, 2009)

"To Be a Father Means Above All to Be at the Service of Life and Growth" (March 18, 2009)

Message for World Day of Communications, May 24, 2009 (February 12, 2009)

Inauguration Telegram to Barack Obama (January 20, 2009)

Homily for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (January 11, 2009)

Christmas Midnight Mass 2008

2008 Christmas Message

General Audience (December 17, 2008)

Message for World Day of Peace 2009 (December 11, 2008)

Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to Bishops of Paraguay (September 11, 2008)

Eucharistic Celebration for the Sick (September 15, 2008)

Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI To The Members Of Italy's Pro-Life Movement (May 12, 2008)

To Participants in an International Congress Organized by the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family: Abortion and Divorce (April 5, 2008)

Meeting With the Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps in Austria (September 2007)

Transcript of News Conference aboard the Papal Plane (May 2007)

Address to the Pontifical Academy for Life (February 24, 2007)

On the Natural Law (February 12, 2007)

Message for Lent 2007 (February 2007)

Address to the Regional Board of Lazio (January 11, 2007)

Address to the Diplomatic Corps Accredited To The Holy See For The Traditional Exchange Of New Year Greetings (January 8, 2007)

Homily for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (January 7, 2007)

To the Participants at the 12th General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life and Congress on “The Human Embryo in the Pre-Implantation Phase” (February 27, 2006)

Message for the World Day of Peace 2007

Interview with the German Media on Abortion (August 5, 2006)

Meeting with the Roman Clergy (March 2, 2006)

The Human Embryo in the Pre-Implantation Phase (February 27, 2006)

Benedict XVI on the occasion of Pro-Life Day in Italy (February 5, 2006)

Benedict XVI Addresses Rome Officials (January 12, 2006)

Benedict XVI General Audience - "The Wonder of My Being" ( December 28, 2005)

Benedict XVI on the Occasion of the National Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Nuestra Señora Del Pilar of Saragossa (May 19, 2005)

Benedict XVI addresses the President of the Italian Republic (June 24, 2005)

Benedict XVI To The Participants In The Ecclesial Diocesan Convention Of Rome (June 6, 2005)

Benedict XVI on the Occasion of the Colloquium "Culture, Reason and Freedom" (May 2005)

Benedict XVI at the Mass of Possession of the Chair of the Bishop of Rome (May 7, 2005)

Homily at the Mass for the Inauguration of the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI (April 24, 2005)

Benedict XVI first message delivered at the end of Mass with the members of the College of Cardinals (April 20, 2005)

Pope John Paul II

John Paul II on "Quality Of Life And Ethics Of Health" (February 19, 2005)

John Paul II: First Among the Great Challenges of Humanity (February 7, 2005 on the occasion of Pro-Life Day 2005 in Italy)

John Paul II To The Diplomatic Corps (January 10, 2005)

John Paul II Message for Lent 2005: Loving the Lord means life and length of days (September 8, 2004)

John Paul II To The Participants In The International Congress On "Life-Sustaining Treatments And Vegetative State: Scientific Advances And Ethical Dilemmas"

John Paul II Message for Lent 2004 on Children

John Paul II Beatifies Mother Theresa of Calcutta (October 19, 2003)

Excerpt from Pastores Gregis (Apostolic Exhortation on Bishops) - October 16, 2003

Proclaim the Gospel of Life with honesty and love (September 2003)

John Paul II Speaks to Academy for Life (February 27, 2002)

John Paul IILenten Message for 2002 focuses on Dignity of Life

John Paul II World Day of Peace Message for 2002

John Paul II Remarks to President George W. Bush (July 23, 2001)

John Paul II Sunday Angelus Message for Annunciation, 2001

John Paul II mentions Political Choices in talk on Life and Family, October 14, 2000

John Paul II Says Catholic Doctors Must Shun Abortion, Euthanasia (July 7, 2000)

Address of the Holy See at Beijing +5 (June 9, 2000)

Pope John Paul II - General Audience of June 7, 2000 on Human Life

Pope's Audience with Secretary General of the United Nations (April 7, 2000)

Holy Father Addresses Conference on the Fetus as a Patient (April 3, 2000)

Pope Encourages Mothers in Jordan (March 21, 2000)

Jubilee Prayer of Forgiveness for Christians (March 12, 2000)

John Paul II on the Fifth Anniversary of Evangelium Vitae (Address on February 14, 2000)

Angelus Message of Pope John Paul II, February 6, 2000

Pope's Message to the participants in the Fiftieth National Prayer Breakfast, February 3, 2000

Papal Address to Diplomatic Corps Accredited to Vatican, January 10, 2000

Pope John Paul II's message at Midnight on January 1, 2000

Angelus Message- A Plea for the Rights of the Family (December 26, 1999)

Papal Christmas Message- You come to give us the Gospel of Life (December 25, 1999)

General Audience of the Holy Father, December 15, 1999

Angelus Message of December 12, 1999

Promote the Family (General Audience of December 1, 1999)

John Paul II on the Dignity and Equality of Women (General Audience of November 24, 1999)

Pope to scientists- Use Your Creativity for the Promotion of Life (November, 1999)

Ad Limina Visit of German Bishops, November 1999

Welcome New Life (Pope's homily on October 31, 1999)

Archbishop Renato Martino, Permanent Observer of The Holy See to The United Nations (October 28, 1999)

Letter of Pope John Paul II to the Elderly (October 1, 1999)

Pope on Cancer, abortion, euthanasia - to Gynecologists (September 30, 1999)

Holy See and UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund (September, 27, 1999)

Message of the Holy Father for World Day of the Sick 2000

Pope to Irish Bishops on Prolife (June 26, 1999)

Pope John Paul II Praises Mother of God , Gift of Life, in Wadowice, Poland (June 16, 1999)

Holy Father's Homily in Poland (General Audience June 14, 1999)

Pope in Poland: Address at the Liturgy of the Word (June 12, 1999)

Pope's Pro-Life, Pro-Family Message to Polish Bishops (June 11, 1999)

Address of the Holy Father to the Pontifical Council for the Family, June 4, 1999

Pope's Letter to German Bishops on Abortion Counseling, June 3, 1999

Letter to Priests on Holy Thursday (April 1, 1999)

Pope to Archbishop of Baltimore on Defending Human Life from Conception to Natural Death (February 20, 1999)

Homily in St. Louis at Trans World Dome (January 27, 1999)

Arrival Speech of Pope John Paul II - St. Louis, MO (January 26, 1999)

Ad Limina Address to Argentine Bishops (November 13, 1998)

Full text of Address to the Bishops of California, Nevada, and Hawaii on ad limina visit (October 1998)

Consciences Must Be Formed to Discern the Objective Moral Law - Ad Limina Address, June 27, 1998

Address to Forum of Catholic Family Associations (June 27, 1998)

Letter to Cardinal López Trujillo "Keep Alive Determination to Promote Life" (June 11, 1998)

Address to the Italian Pro-Life Movement (May 22, 1998)

Excerpt of Address to US Bishops (Region IV) on ad limina visit (March 1998)

Holy Father expresses support for pro-life efforts in Western Australia (March 1998)

Address on Women's Health Issues (February 20, 1998)

Angelus message (excerpt) on Pro-life Day in Italy (February 1, 1998)

Letter to the United States for the 25th Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade

Letter to the German hierarchy regarding Abortion Counseling (January 1998)

Remarks on Accepting the Credentials of the US Ambassador Corinne Boggs, December 16, 1997

Mass for Second World Meeting with Families  (October 5, 1997)

Mass in Poland "Never Refuse the Gift of Life" (June 4, 1997)

Address to the Pontifical Academy for Life (February 1997)

Address to teachers of Natural Family Planning (December 7, 1996)

Angelus Message in St. Peter's Square "Church's Mission Is Everyone's Concern"  (October 20, 1996)

Ad Limina Address to Thai Bishops "Inculturation will ensure Church is firmly rooted in Thai culture" (August 30, 1996)

Statement on the First Anniversary of Evangelium Vitae (April 23, 1996)

Address to "Radio Maria" Polish Radio Station - "Proclaim the Gospel by Word and Deed" (April 18, 1996)

Welcome Address, Newark International Airport- Pope John Paul II, October 4, 1995

Pope John Paul II - Homily at Giants Stadium, October 5, 1995

Homily at Camden Yards, October 8, 1995

Departing Remarks at BWI Airport, October 8, 1995

Address to "Rainbow Way" Association - "Every human being must always be defended" (November 4, 1995)

Letter to Women (June 29, 1995)

Address to the Ambassador of Norway to the Holy See (March 25, 1995)

Letter to Children (December 13, 1994)

Address to Ambassador of Belgium to the Holy See (November 12, 1994)

Angelus Message "State Must Ensure Right to Life"  (August 7, 1994)

Pope to Bishops of Honduras (Feb. 4, 1994): Consolidate and Strengthen Families!

Letter to Families (February 2, 1994)

Angelus Message (December 19, 1993): Dignity of the Person Begins at Conception

Celebrations of Life (General Audience of August 18, 1993)

Homily at World Youth Day in Denver, August 15, 1993

Address to Denver Catholics, August 14, 1993

America, if you want Justice and Freedom, Defend Life! (Aug. 12, 1993)

The Pope to the President (Aug. 1993)

Comments on Abortion in cases of rape (Feb. 2, 1993)

Angelus Message (Jan. 31, 1993): Put Life at the Center of Your Concern!

Pope to Pontifical Council for the Family: Defend Life and Family (Jan. 30, 1993)

Address to World Meeting on NFP (Dec. 11, 1992)

Address to Ambassador of Malawi: The Church Defends Life (Nov. 14, 1992)

Address to Scottish Bishops: Speak for Those Who Have No Voice! (October 29, 1992)

Address in Santo Domingo: Do Not Allow the Flame of Life to be Snuffed Out! (October 12, 1992)

Ad Limina message to Irish Bishops (Sept. 25, 1992)

Future Depends on a Strong Alliance for Life (July 25, 1992)

Address to Bishops of Zimbabwe: Defend Life (July 7, 1992)

Address to Belgian Hierarchy: The Church Manifests the Greatness of Human Life (July 3, 1992)

Address to Youth: Be Missionaries of Life! (June 20, 1992)

Address to Bulgarian Bishops: Work to End Abortion (June 1, 1992)

Address to Southern African Bishops' Conference: Oppose Abortion and Euthanasia (May 29, 1992)

Evangelization includes Defending Life! (March 29, 1992)

Pope Reaffirms Church Teaching on Euthanasia (March 17, 1992)

Address to Pro-life Leaders, Rome, November 15, 1991

Let the Children Come to the Pope! (Oct. 20, 1991)

Homily: Christ will Judge the Selfish (Oct. 16, 1991)

Pope Encourages Priests to Defend Life (Oct. 10, 1991)

Pope to Pontifical Council for the Family on its 10th Anniversary (Oct. 4, 1991)

The Pope Speaks on Organ Transplants- New Way of Sharing Life With Others (June 20, 1991)

The Secretary of State Sends Greetings from the Pope to Conference in Mexico

Letter to the Bishops on the Conclusion of the Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals, May 19, 1991

The Pope's Homily in Fabriano On the Feast of St. Joseph (April 21, 1991)

Angelus Message on February 3, 1991 on Respect for Life

The Pope Speaks in Preparation for His Trip to Poland (January 30, 1991)

The Pope Speaks to Catholics of the Legal Profession, January 11, 1991

The Holy Father Celebrates A Mass of Thanksgiving in the Church of Gesu (December 31, 1990)

Pope John Paul II- Mary as a Prolife Symbol (July 2, 1990)

The Pope Speaks to Austrian Judges, June 15, 1990

The Pope speaks outside the shrine of Ta' Pinu, May 26, 1990

The Pope Asks Families to Defend Life in All It's Stages (April 28, 1990)

The Pope Speaks to Italian Family Counselors of Christian Inspiration (March 2, 1990)

The Pope's Message to Medical-Moral Workshop for Bishops (February 5, 1990)

The Pope's Homily for the World Day of Peace (January 1, 1990)

The Pope's Address at Jakarta During the State Reception, October 9, 1989

The Pope Speaks Participants in Congress on Twin Studies (August 28, 1989)

Address at the University of Uppsala, June 9, 1989

The Pope Addresses the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Denmark (June 7, 1989)

The Holy Father's Address to Participants in Symposium on Down's Syndrome (May 23, 1989)

The Pope's Homily for the Sick (February 11, 1989)

Pope - The life of each person is an absolute good - Angelus (February 5, 1989)

The Holy Father's address to Bishops of Mexico, February 5, 1989

On the Dignity and Vocation of Women (August 15, 1988)

The Encyclical Humanae Vitae for Newlyweds (July 23, 1988)

"Let Us Renew Our 'Yes to Faith'" -- Speech By the Pope in Austria, June 23, 1988

The Pope to Plenary Assembly of Pontifical Council for the Family (June 10, 1988)

The Pope's speech in Modena- Acceptance and Esteem for Every Life (June 3, 1988)

The Holy Father Addresses the Youth of Peru at Lima, May 15, 1988

Pope John Paul II Address to the World of Culture (April 17, 1988)

The Holy Father speaks to European Congress of Perinatal Medicine (April 14, 1988)

The Pope Speaks With The Members of Austrian Parliament, March 26, 1988

The Pope Speaks About the Rights to Life and Health, March 18, 1988

The Pope Speaks With The New Italian Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Emanuele Scammacca del Murgo e dell'Agnone (March 17, 1988)

The Pope addresses Participants in Conference for the Family of Europe and of Africa on "Humanae Vitae" (March 14, 1988)

Pope to Mass Media- Communicate Truth about Abortion (March 3, 1988)

Pope John Paul to members of US Congress, February 10, 1988

Pope to Italian Prolife Movement: Angelus of Feb. 2, 1988

Excerpt of address to US bishops in Los Angeles, 1987

The Holy Father prays the Angelus with the faithful of his residence, Castel Gandolfo (December 27, 1987)

Holy Father Speaks on Right to Life in Europe (December 18, 1987)

To participants in congress of apostolate for health-care workers (November 12, 1987)

Pope's Address to the People of Foggia, May 24, 1987

The Pope's Homily on the Feast of St. Joseph in Viale Garibaldi (March 19, 1987)

Remarks at Conclusion of 1987 Pastoral Visit to the United States

Pope to Food and Disarmament International: "Sensitivity to hunger, war and terrorism but, not, alas, to the crime of abortion" on February 13, 1986

Pope to Two Working Groups of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on October 21, 1985: "Life is a treasure and death is a natural event"

Pope to Italian Pro-Life Convention on October 12, 1985: Human Life Is Sacred and Must Be Protected

The Holy Father speaks to a conference on infantile Leukemia (October 7, 1985)

Pope to Participants in the Congress of Italian Association of Anesthesiology on October 4, 1984

Pope Defends Life in the Womb on the Feast of the Birth of Our Lady - Angelus (September 8, 1985)

Pope's General Audience on August 8, 1984: Faithfulness to the divine plan in the transmission of life

John Paul II - Address to Medical Professors of Sacred Heart University (June 28, 1984)

The Holy Father speaks in St Peter's Square (December 27, 1982)

Pope to Participants in Congresses on the Family on December 7, 1981: "To Make the Family a Community in Communion"

Pope on May 10, 1981: I Came That They May Have Life!

Angelus Message of March 22, 1981: Let Us Defend Life!

To the First Congress for the Family of Africa and Europe on January 15, 1981

World Day of Peace, 1981: "To Serve Peace, Respect Freedom"

End-of-Year Angelus on December 28, 1980: "The Family in the Service of Life"

Holy Father Speaks in Angelus - Church Serves Marriage and the Family (September 21, 1980)

Safeguard the family, where love begets life (September 7, 1980)

Angelus Message of February 3, 1980: To Accept and Defend Life!

Pope to USA-Canadian Bishops meeting in Dallas, Texas on January 28, 1980

Pope John Paul II to US Bishops on Abortion (October 5, 1979)

Pope to the European Congress of Movements for Life on February 26, 1979

Pope Paul VI

World Day of Peace, 1977: "If You Want Peace, Defend Life!" (Pope Paul VI)

Pope Paul VI: Excerpt from Message at the Synod "Human Rights and Reconciliation," October 23, 1974

John Paul II and Paul VI: Excerpts from Speeches to the Diplomatic Corps

 

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