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Saturday, Nov 27, 2010 6:08 PM UTC

Pope declares embryo humanity

After his controversial condom-support Benedict XVI speaks on behalf of "nascent life"

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Topics: Abortion, Abstinence, Catholicism, Religion, Sex, Sex Education, Sexual abuse,

Pope declares embryo humanityPope Benedict XVI acknowledges faithful as he leaves after his weekly general audience, in Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010. The Vatican on Wednesday denounced China for ordaining a bishop without papal consent, accusing the government-backed church of gravely damaging the faith, and warning that the bishop himself risked excommunication. Pope Benedict XVI learned of the ordination of Rev. Joseph Guo Jincai "with deep regret'' as it constituted a "grave violation'' of church law and hampered reconciliation efforts that have been a priority for the papacy, the Vatican press office said.(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)(Credit: AP)

Pope Benedict XVI has called for politicians and other world leaders to show more respect for human life at its earliest stages by saying embryos are dynamic, autonomous individuals.

Benedict made the comments during a vespers service Saturday to mark the beginning of Advent. This year, the Vatican urged bishops around the world to make the service a vigil for “nascent life.”

The service comes amid continued fallout from the pope’s remarks about condoms and HIV contained in a book-length interview published this week. While reaffirming condoms aren’t a real or moral solution, Benedict said people who use them are taking a moral step forward because they are aiming to protect their partners from HIV — even when conception is at stake.

Associated Press

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

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  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

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