Pope Francis Daily

“The contribution of women in all areas of
human activity is undeniable, beginning with the family. But only to recognize
it…. Is that enough?. This question begins Francis’ video message, found at
the web address www.apmej.org — the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network
(Apostleship of Prayer). Speaking in Spanish — with subtitles available in six
languages at www.thepopevideo.org —, the Pontiff offers his universal intention
for the month of May: “That in every country of the world, women may be honored
and respected and that their essential contribution to society may be highly
esteemed.

Indeed,
the message continues, “we have done little for the women who are in very
difficult situations: despised, marginalized, and even reduced to slavery. The
Pope’s words are accompanied by series of images of women at work: teachers,
doctors, labourers and homemakers in a variety of settings. The pictures show
the exploitation to which many women are subjected, as in the background
messages such as “I do my job as well as a man, and “Enough of discrimination
at work are spelled out in block letters, along with “Men and women are
children of God. The Pope emphasizes the need to “condemn sexual violence against
women and remove the barriers that prevent their full integration into social,
political, and economic life. He then invites the viewer to take action: “If
you think this is clearly right, join my petition that in all countries of the
world women may be honored and respected and valued for their essential
contribution to society. The video message, like those before it, was prepared
by La Machi communications agency, which handles production and distribution,
in cooperation with Vatican Television Center, which recorded the images.