The Holy See has all the time been highlighting issues relevant to ensuring measures that guarantee a dignified and safe life for humans by forestalling any factors that threaten or degrade human life.
On the other hand, Pope Francis has repeatedly urged prayer and commitment to free the world from nuclear weapons. During a visit on November 24, 2019 to the two Japanese cities razed by atomic bombs during World War II, namely Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Pope Francis called for a “world without nuclear weapons.”
This is the sublime view of the Holy See towards world affairs and care for life, which is based on the divine teachings of the Holy Bible that expresses respect for human life, implying that it should be protected.
Water is the most essential element for life, and the future of humanity depends on our capacity to guard it and share it," this is what Permanent Observer of the Holy See Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič said on Wednesday, September 16, while addressing the 45th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on behalf of the Holy See regarding the “right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation.”
This statement corroborated the Holy See's explicit appreciation of human life.
Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič cited Pope Francis as saying that “water is the most essential element for life, and the future of humanity depends on our capacity to guard it and share it.” He also stated the Holy See’s position that “access to water and sanitation is not just a basic human need, but also a crucial element for the health of the Earth and of those who live on it.”
What is need at the time is consider innovative ideas that ensure safe and clean drinking water. This is reminiscent of what Pope Francis said in the special Urbi et orbi discourse of 27 March, 2020:
“This is not a time for self-centeredness, because the challenge we are facing is shared by all, without distinguishing between persons… Let us not lose the opportunity to give further proof of solidarity, also by turning to innovative solutions.”
As water is the most essential element for life, and the future of humanity depends on our capacity to guard it and share it, it is also important to consider the fact that we need to drink water that we will never thirst.
In the Holy Bible, (John4:13-14) "Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
While people seek potable and clean water, they should also thank the Lord for the water He gives us. Furthermore, we need as well to seek His water that becomes in us a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.
Will the world leaders heed the call of the Holy See and resort to innovative ideas that attain the right to safe and clean drinking water?
