Pope John Paul II is calling for legal recognition for the human embryo and its fundamental right to life.

His appeal came during weekly prayers to the faithful in St. Peter's Square in Rome. The pope told the crowd that to recognize life means to guarantee every human being the right to develop according to one's fullest potential, assuring protection from conception to natural death.

The 81-year-old pontiff's new plea also contained condemnation of abortion, euthanasia, genetic manipulation, artificial procreation and also those who kill in the name of God.

Since the September 11 terrorist attacks against the United States, the pope has repeatedly declared that religion can never be an excuse for killing.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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