“Pope Benedict was a scholar and servant, whose profound love for the Church was evident throughout his life,” a statement from the organization reads.
“From 2005 to 2013, Pope Benedict demonstrated this love through his involvement in The Papal Foundation’s work, meeting the needs of the Holy See by serving the poorest of the poor in developing nations around the world. During his Papacy, the Foundation made more than 700 grants to build churches, hospitals, and schools, serving the faithful all over the globe, and awarded nearly 500 scholarships that enabled lay and religious leaders to study in Rome.”
Human Life International, a Virginia-based group that provides resources and education on life issues from a Catholic perspective, thanked Benedict for his support of their mission, specifically his contributions to the pro-life movement.
“The pro-life movement owes tremendous gratitude to Benedict XVI for his unwavering defense of the sacredness of human life, the integrity of the family founded on the marriage of a man and a woman, and the Christian teaching on sexual morality,” a statement from Human Life International reads.
HLI also noted Benedict’s third encyclical letter, Caritas in veritate, as being of “fundamental importance to the pro-life movement in its advancement of authentic human development and flourishing.” In that letter, the organization notes, Benedict warned about the proliferation of nongovernmental organizations active in the developing world that promote anti-life policies, such as abortion.
“He advanced, instead, a vision for authentic human development, which begins with the dignity of the human person and the respect for life,” the statement continues.
“Benedict XVI walked with us in our service of the Gospel of Life, and we owe him our gratitude.”
Kevin J. Jones is a senior staff writer with Catholic News Agency. He was a recipient of a 2014 Catholic Relief Services’ Egan Journalism Fellowship.
Jonah McKeown is a staff writer and podcast producer for Catholic News Agency. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has worked as a writer, as a producer for public radio, and as a videographer. He is based in St. Louis.
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