“If you want to cultivate peace, protect the creation” is the theme chosen by Benedict XVI for his Message for the 43rd World Day of Peace, which will be celebrated on 1 January 2010.

“The theme”, says a communique made public today, “aims to raise awareness about the strong bond that exists in our globalised and interconnected world between protecting the creation and cultivating peace.

“This close and intimate tie”, the communique adds, “is further accentuated by the many problems concerning man’s natural environment, such as the use of resources, climate change, the application and use of biotechnology, and demographic growth. If the human family is unable to face these new challenges with a renewed sense of social justice and equity, and of international solidarity, we run the risk of sowing seeds of violence among peoples, and between current generations and those to come”.

The communique goes on: “Following the precious guidelines contained in paragraphs 48 to 51 of the Encyclical ‘Caritas in veritate’, the papal Massage will make it clear that the protection of the environment is a challenge for all humankind. It is shared and universal duty to respect a collective asset destined for everyone”.

The communique concludes by noting that “ecological questions must be faced, not just because of the dreadful prospects that environmental degradation presages; they must be translated, above all, into a strong motivation to cultivate peace”.

VATICAN CITY, 29 JUL 2009 (VIS)