CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS): Pope John Paul II has asked President George W. Bush to oppose research on stem cells from embryos, as the US leader deliberated over releasing federal funds for the practice.
Meeting on July 23 with President Bush for the first time, the Pope said the United States had a ‘special responsibility’ to the rest of the world and could point the way to a ‘truly humane future’ by defending human life and dignity through legislation.
President Bush met with the Pope behind closed doors for 30 minutes. Afterwards, joined by Vatican officials and President Bush’s entourage, the leaders exchanged speeches and small gifts.
In his speech, the Pope told the President that political decisions regarding human life ‘have the gravest consequences for the future of civilisation’.
The widespread legalisation of abortion has led to ‘a tragic coarsening of consciences’, opening the way to acceptance of euthanasia, infanticide and ‘proposals for the creation for research purposes of human embryos, destined to destruction in the process’, the Pope said.
