Pope Benedict said yesterday that 30 years of legalised abortion had devalued human life in Italy, but the centre-left opposition said legislation had reduced the number of terminated pregnancies.

The Pontiff's comments added to an emotional debate in Italy over abortion, which was a prominent issue in campaigning for last month's election, 30 years after it was legalised despite opposition from the Vatican.

"Allowing the termination of pregnancies not only did not resolve the problems afflicting many women and more than a few families, but has also opened more wounds in our societies," the Pope told a delegation from Italy's Pro-Life Movement.

"Looking at the past three decades and considering the current situation, one cannot deny that defending human life has today become practically more difficult because of a mentality that has progressively degraded its value," he said.

His words drew criticism from the centre left, which largely supports the 1978 legislation allowing abortion on demand in the first 90 days of pregnancy and until the 24th week if the mother's life is at risk or if the foetus is malformed.

Livia Turco, a former health minister in the centre-left government that collapsed in January, said the Pope's concerns were unjustified and the legislation had helped sharply reduce the number of abortions in Italy.

"The legislation is wise, far-sighted and efficient," she said.

Critics argue abortion has replaced contraception and say rules should be tightened in light of medical advances allowing the survival of some foetuses born before 24 weeks.

But conservative politicians close to new Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, whose government was sworn in last week, are also divided on the issue, with some arguing abortion is tantamount to murder.

Isabella Bertolini, a lawmaker from Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom coalition, welcomed the Pope's words and said she would renew calls for a UN moratorium on abortion just as the world body has on the death penalty.