HOLY SEE: POPE HAILS UN CALL FOR DEATH PENALTY MORATORIUM

Pope Benedict XVI hailed last month's UN resolution calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty and called for a debate on the sanctity of life. "I earnestly hope that this initiative will lead to public debate on the sacred character of human life," the pope said, referring to the non-binding resolution that was adopted on December 18. "I cannot but deplore once again the continual attacks perpetrated on every continent against human life," Benedict added in his annual address to ambassadors to the Holy See.