The violation of the individual human being's right to life contains the seeds of the extreme violence of war. For this reason I appeal to all women ever to take their place on the side of life. At the same time I urge everyone to help women who are suffering and particularly children, in a special way those scarred by the painful trauma of having lived through war. Only loving and compassionate concern will enable them once again to look to the future with confidence and hope. When my beloved predecessor Pope John XIII indicated the participation of women inpublic life as one of the signs of our times he also stated that, being aware of their dignity, they would no longer tolerate being exploited.
Women have the right to insist that their dignity be respected.
At the same time, they have the duty to work for the promotion of the dignity of all persons, men as well as women. Mary, queen of peace, is close to the women of our day because of her motherhood, her example of openness to others' needs and her witness of suffering. Mary lived with a deep sense of responsibility the plan which God willed to carry out in her for the salvation of all humanity. When she was made aware of the miracle which God had worked inher by making her the mother of his incarnate Son, her first thought was to visit her elderly kinswoman Elizabeth in order to help her. I implore the most holy Virgin Mary to sustain those men and women who, in the service of life, have committed themselves to building peace.