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Pope welcomes pro-crucifix demonstrators

Nov 29, 2009, 12:18 GMT

Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI expressed Sunday solidarity with a group who staged a march in Rome in defence of the right to display the Christian crucifix in public places, including classrooms and hospitals. Benedict greeted the group, numbering around 1,000 people, who at the end of their demonstration joined other faithful in St Peter's Square for the pontiff's Angelus Blessing. The group had 'manifested their deep love for the crucifix, recognising its religious, historical and cultural value,' Benedict said. A European Court of Human Rights ruling against the crucifix earlier this month prompted protests from church and political leaders in Italy and elsewhere. According to the Strasbourg-based court, hanging up a crucifix in a school classroom limits parents' right to educate their children according to their own religious convictions as well as the student's right not to believe in God. The court's verdict followed a complaint raised by an Italian citizen of Finnish origin whose children attended a state school in northern Italy. The school had refused to remove the crucifix despite a ruling by Italy's highest court, in 2000, stating that the presence of the crucifix violates the principle of Italy as a secular state. The Italian government said it would appeal the decision.

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Pope welcomes pro-crucifix demonstrators

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