Cardinal George Pell has supported Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s suggestion that the values Anzac Day represents have grown beyond the military roots of the day, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Speaking after addressing the Dawn Service at Gallipoli yesterday, Ms Gillard said Anzac Day had ''organically grown into what it is'' and had meaning for all Australians, including migrants such as herself.

Cardinal Pell, who along with 40 Catholic school teachers is in Turkey retracing the steps of St Paul, said Anzac Day represents for many more people, especially younger people ''the legend of Australia''.

He said it stands for ''a devotion to duty and a preparedness to put yourself on the line for what you believe is a good cause''.

Cardinal Pell said Anzac Day, being a day of redemptive sacrifice, had improved the standing of his church.

''I don't think a country without deep Christian roots can make a national day out of a defeat,'' he said.

FULL STORY:

Day embodies the nation's values, says Gillard (Sydney Morning Herald)

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