Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale174

but agricultural labour is so in a pre-eminent way. A truly humane society

will always know how to appreciate and reward appropriately the contribu-

tion made by the agricultural sector. If properly supported and equipped, it

has the potential to lift a nation out of poverty and to lay the foundations for

increasing prosperity.

Ladies and Gentlemen, as we give thanks for the achievements of the past

thirty years, there is a need for renewed determination to act in harmony and

solidarity with all the different elements of the human family in order to

ensure equitable access to the earth's resources now and in the future. The

motivation to do this comes from love: love for the poor, love that cannot

tolerate injustice or deprivation, love that refuses to rest until poverty and

hunger are banished from our midst. The goals of eradicating extreme po-

verty and hunger, as well as promoting food security and rural development,

far from being over-ambitious or unrealistic, become, in this context, impe-

ratives binding upon the whole international community. It is my fervent

prayer that the activities of such organizations as yours will continue to

make a significant contribution to the attainment of these goals. In thanking

you and encouraging you to persevere in the good work that you do, I

commend you to the constant care of our loving Father, the Creator of

Heaven and Earth and all that is therein. May God bless all of you!