Without making room for God's word in their heart, people will never be able to welcome and love all human life, Pope Francis said.
"Each life that we encounter is a gift deserving acceptance, respect and love," the Pope said in his message for Lent, which begins March 1 for Latin-rite Catholics.
"The word of God helps us to open our eyes to welcome and love life, especially when it is weak and vulnerable," he wrote.
Released by the Vatican on Feburary 7, the text of the Pope's Lenten message -- entitled, The Word is a gift. Other persons are gift -- focused on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in the Gospel of St Luke (16:19-31).
