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 Message of His Holiness
Pope Benedict XVI
for the celebration of the
World Day of Peace
1 January 2010
1. At the beginning of this New Year, I wish to offer heartfelt greetings of peace to all Christian communities, international leaders, and people of good will throughout the world. For this XLIII World Day of Peace I have chosen the theme: If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation. Respect for creation is of immense consequence, not least because “creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God’s works”,[1] and its preservation has now become essential for the pacific coexistence of mankind. Man’s inhumanity to man has given rise to numerous threats to peace and to authentic and integral human development – wars, international and regional conflicts, acts of terrorism, and violations of human rights. Yet no less troubling are the threats arising from the neglect – if not downright misuse – of the earth and the natural goods that God has given us. For this reason, it is imperative that mankind renew and strengthen “that covenant between human beings and the environment, which should mirror the creative love of God, from whom we come and towards whom we are journeying”.[2]
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Held every other year, the symposium on Religion, Science and the Environment explores different aspects of God's creation. This year, the event focused on the Mississippi River and the other great rivers of the world. Here is Benedict XVI's letter of support to the symposium:
To His Holiness Bartholomew I
Archbishop of Constantinople
Ecumenical Patriarch
On the occasion of the Eight International Symposium on the theme Religion, Science and the Environment, devoted this year to the Mississippi River, I have asked the Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans, to offer Your Holiness my cordial greetings and my prayerful good wishes for the occasion. I likewise renew my appreciation for your continued efforts to promote respect for God’s gift of creation and a sense of global solidarity for its wise and responsible stewardship.
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 In a statement on World Food Day, Pope Benedict XVI called access to healthy food a "practical expression of the right to life." He stressed the need for the world community to "guarantee people and peoples the possibility of overcoming the scourge of hunger." The Pope also called for farming to have "access to adequate investment and resources."
Pope Benedict cited the current global economic crisis as presenting a particular difficult moment for food security throughout the world. "Rather than an elementary need, access to food is a fundamental right of people," he said. "Even advanced technical solutions lack efficiency if they do not put the person first and foremost."
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 As a separate nation, the Holy See maintains diplomatic relations with other nations. It is also granted permanent observer status at the United Nations. The head of that mission is Archbishop Celestino Migliore. Visit the Missions website for more information.
Citing the value of the interacting cultures and the need to maintain the dignity and rights of all peoples, Archbishop Migliore spoke to the United States General Assembly about the needs of indigenous people. He expressed particular concern for migrants during difficult economic times, for the malnourished caused by structural inequalities and for HIV/AIDS sufferers.
The Archbishop offered the Vatican’s strong support for the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. That declaration rejects racism and urges the protection and respect of indigenous people with regards to religion, cultural practices and use of the environment.
The complete statement follows:
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