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   ANGELUS: POPE HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 14 NOV 2010 (VIS) - In his remarks prior to praying the Angelus   
   this Sunday, the Holy Father spoke of the importance that work, especially   
   agricultural work, has for human life.   
      
   Addressing the thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope   
   recalled how this question is highlighted in today's reading from St. Paul, and   
   that in Italy the second Sunday of November is dedicated to thanking God for   
   the end of the harvest. "Although I know that in other areas the farming   
   seasons are different, I would like to draw from St. Paul's words to reflect   
   particularly on agricultural work", he said.   
      
   "The current economic crisis, which was also examined during the recent meeting   
   of the G20, must be faced in all its seriousness. It has many causes, and sends   
   out a strong call for a profound revision in the model of global economic   
   development. It is an acute symptom which must be added to other even more   
   serious and already well-known symptoms such as the enduring imbalance between   
   wealth and poverty, the scandal of hunger, the ecological emergency, and the   
   now-widespread problem of unemployment. Faced with such a panorama, a strategic   
   relaunch of agriculture is clearly vital. Indeed, the process of   
   industrialisation has sometimes overshadowed the agricultural sector which,   
   though it too has drawn benefit from modern technology, has nonetheless lost   
   importance, bringing significant consequences also at a cultural level. I   
   believe it is the moment to call for a re-evaluation of agriculture, not in   
   nostalgic terms but as a vital resource for the future.   
      
   "In the current economic situation", the Pope added, "the temptation for the   
   most dynamic economies is to seek advantageous agreements. However, this can   
   turn out to be harmful to poorer States, prolonging the situation of extreme   
   poverty suffered by vast numbers of men and women and using up the natural   
   resources of the earth, which was - as Genesis says - entrusted by God the   
   Creator to man for him to cultivate and protect".   
      
   He went on: "For this reason it is vital to cultivate and spread a clear   
   ethical awareness, one capable of meeting the most complex challenges of the   
   present time, educating people in wiser and more responsible consumption   
   patterns, promoting personal responsibility and the social dimension of rural   
   activities founded on such perennial values as welcome, solidarity, and sharing   
   the fatigue of work".   
      
   The Holy Father concluded: "Many young people have already chosen this path,   
   and even a number of university graduates have chosen to dedicate themselves to   
   agricultural business feeling that in this way they are responding, not only to   
   a personal and family need, but also to a sign of the times, a concrete   
   awareness of the common good".   
   ANG/VIS 20101115 (460)   
      
   SUMMARY   
      
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