Pope Assures Italy's Parliament Of Noninterference

On Monday, Pope Benedict XVI delivered a message to Italy's Parliament assuring it that the Roman Catholic Church will not interfere in affairs of the Italian state. ANSA reported that the Pope's message came as Parliament passed a budget provision excusing the Church from paying property tax on its real estate, even when it is used for commercial purposes. Humanists and atheists in Italy have protested governmental endorsements of the Church's teachings on family values and stem-cell research. In his message, Benedict also urged the Church and State to work together more closely on issues including "the protection of the human person" - a codeword for pro-life policies . The Church has criticized abortion but has ended its calls for the repeal of Italy's abortion laws .