For pope: the person is no longer the centre of the economy that 'thinks only of making money'

In an interview, Francis says that a healthy economy "is never disconnected from the meaning of what is produced and economic activity is always also an ethical fact". What is more, “An ethics friendly to people tends to overcome the rigid distinction between profit-driven organisations and those based not on the exclusive mechanism of profits, leaving ample space for activities that constitute and expand the so-called third sector."

Rome (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis granted a long interview to Italian business daily Il Sole 24 Ore. In the interview, the pontiff said that today’s economy "kills" because "it only obeys money" with "the primary and only objective" of "making money" whilst "the person is no longer at the center". Consequently, "structures of poverty, slavery and waste" are created and unemployment itself "is the consequence of an economic system that is no longer capable of generating jobs, because it has put an idol at the centre, which is called money".

"What is lacking is a sense of shared origin, of belonging to a shared root of humanity and of a future to be built together. This basic awareness would allow the development of new beliefs, new attitudes and lifestyles. An ethics friendly to people tends to overcome the rigid distinction between profit-driven organisations and those based not on the exclusive mechanism of profits, leaving ample space for activities that constitute and expand the so-called third sector."

For Francis it is important "to develop solidarity and create a new economic order that no longer generates waste, but [instead] enriches economic activity centred on the poor and reduces inequalities." In his view, what is needed is "courage and ingenious creativity.”

“Distributing and sharing the generated wealth, the integration of businesses to a given territory, social responsibility, the wellbeing of businesses, pay equity for men and women, work-life balance, respect for the environment, the recognition of the importance of people over machines and the recognition of proper wages, and the ability to innovate are important elements that keep alive the communal aspect of businesses. Pursuing integral development calls for attention to the issues I just listed."

Since a healthy economy "is never disconnected from the meaning of what is produced and economic action is always also an ethical fact", the meaning of business "expands" and makes it clear that "the sole pursuit of profit no longer guarantees the life of the business "and that" it is no longer possible for business operatives not to listen to the cry of the poor."

"There is no peaceful future for humanity except in the acceptance of diversity, solidarity, and the idea of humanity as one family". This is a reference to migrants, "a great challenge for everyone" today. According to the Holy Father, the journey they undertake is “done in two” and there is no need to be afraid to share it with hope.

Looking at people who flee from poverty and hunger should stimulate "entrepreneurs" and "European institutions that do not lack intelligence and courage" to "invest in their countries [of origin] in training, from school to the development of actual cultural systems, and above all jobs" for the good of states that are "still poor today [. . .] giving these people the dignity of work and their country the means to develop positive social ties in order to build a just and democratic society.”

"The response to requests for help, however generous, may not have been enough, and today we are weeping for the thousands of dead. There has been too much silence, the silence of shared meaning and silence of ‘we have always done things this way’, and the silence of us always against them.

“The Lord has promised rest and liberation to all the oppressed in the world, but he needs us to fulfill his promise. He needs our eyes to see the needs of our brothers and sisters. He needs our hands to help. He needs our voice to denounce the injustices committed in the silence, sometimes complicit, of the many. Above all, the Lord needs our heart to show God's merciful love for the outcast, the rejected, the abandoned, the marginalised."

At the same time, the pope also added that migrants must respect the culture and the laws of the country that welcomes them to facilitate “integration and overcome all fears and concerns”.

• vatican
• popoe
• il sole 24 ore
• interview
• economics
• business
• poverty
• justice