"It is the heartfelt wish of the Holy See delegation that support be given to the activities and practices of rural populations (in which the importance of the family cannot be overstressed).

"They constitute the basic economic foundation for most developing countries..."

On this note, he called for the upcoming U.N. conference on agrarian reform and rural development, due to be held in Brazil in March 2006, to "give 'voice' and support to those people who daily practice small-scale agriculture."