Pope says compassion no excuse for euthanasia

VATICAN CITY, Feb 4 (Reuters) Pope Benedict today renewed his appeal to Catholics to reject abortion and euthanasia, saying life was God-given and could not be cut short under ''the guise of human compassion''.

His appeal came days after an Italian doctor who switched off the life support of a paralysed man at the centre of a euthanasia battle was cleared of wrongdoing by a medical panel.

''Life, which is the work of God, cannot be negated by anyone, neither at the very young and indefensible unborn stage, nor when grave disabilities are present,'' he said in his weekly address to pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter's Square.

Speaking on the Italian Catholic Church's ''Day for Life,'' he said humanity could not legitimise euthanasia or be ''fooled'' into justifying it ''under the guise of human compassion''.

Euthanasia is a deeply divisive issue in overwhelmingly Catholic Italy, where it is illegal and carries a jail term of up to 15 years.

The issue was back in the spotlight last month when Italian doctor Mario Riccio disconnected the life support of Piergiorgio Welby, who was paralysed for many years by muscular dystrophy and had asked to die.

REUTERS MS PM2050