• Pope Francis has greeted participants in a Vatican conference on the value and values of water promoted by the Pontifical Council for Culture.

    Wednesday, March 22, marks the 25th iteration of World Water Day, instituted by the United Nations in 1992.

    The conference is entitled “Watershed: replenishing water values for a thirsty world”.

    During his greetings to English speakers at the General Audience, Pope Francis gave a special welcome and encouraged participants in their work.

    “I am happy that this meeting is taking place, for it represents yet another stage in the joint commitment of various institutions to raising consciousness about the need to protect water as a treasure belonging to everyone, mindful too of its cultural and religious significance. I especially encourage your efforts in the area of education, through programmes directed to children and young people. Thank you for all that you do and may God bless you!”

    Speakers at the one-day event include Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture and of the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, and Cardinal Peter Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development.

    Source: Vatican Radio