ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE MEMBERS
OF THE WORLD JURIST ASSOCIATION

Tuesday, 4 May 2004

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to greet you, the members of the World Jurist Association, as you gather in Rome for your Conference this year and I thank President Yevdokimov for his kind words.

The theme of your discussions focuses on the legal aspects of certain economic questions facing our increasingly globalized world. In order for legal systems and juridical instruments to be of real service to all men and women, especially the poor and disadvantaged, they must uphold the whole truth of the human person. It is therefore of utmost importance that the various expressions of international law recognize and respect those moral and spiritual truths that are necessary for properly defending and promoting the dignity and freedom of individuals, peoples and nations.

In the confident hope that your work will make a significant contribution in this area, I cordially invoke upon all of you the abundant blessings of Almighty God.