Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) 1995, #99 

"I would like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what
happened and face it honestly." 

"If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You will come to understand that nothing is definitely lost and you will also be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord." 

"With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life." 


— Pope John Paul II
The above is an excerpt from the Encyclical letter of Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life)

Pope's Christmas Message Assails Abortion
VATICAN CITY, -- Pope John Paul, in his Christmas message for the new millennium, on Saturday attacked abortion.  In his ``Urbi et Orbi'' (To the City and the World) message to tens of thousands of people in St Peter's Square, the Pope, 79, said humanity had much to regret concerning the devaluing of human life.

In a clear reference to abortion and euthanasia he asked God to ``enlighten people's minds, so that legislators and political leaders, men and women of good will, may be committed to welcoming human life as a precious gift.''  ``At times people have refused to respect and love their brothers and sisters of a different race or faith, they have denied fundamental rights to individuals and nations,'' he said.