Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options
 (CNS photo/Paul Haring) 

The Gospel requires Christians to "denounce personal and social sins committed against God and neighbor in the name of the god money and of power for its own sake," Pope Francis wrote.

Finance and the economy effect every person and every society, playing a large part in "determining the quality of life and even death" and the degree to which a person's life is worthy of his or her God-given dignity, the pope said in the introduction to the book "Potere e Denaro" ("Power and Money"). The book was released April 12.

Written by Michele Zanzucchi, editor of Citta Nuova, the magazine of the Focolare Movement, the volume examines what Pope Francis has said and written about the economy and business, social justice, poverty and care for creation.

In line with his predecessors and with the social teaching of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis wrote in the introduction, he knows that the Gospel message applies to social and economic questions as well as to questions of personal spirituality and church life because "God does not abandon his creatures to the clutches of evil."

While the global economy has allowed billions of people to attain well-being, he said, "the economy and markets have had a role in the excessive exploitation of common resources, increasing inequality and the deterioration of the planet."

Traveling around the world as pope, "I have been able to see these contrasts more clearly than was possible in Argentina," he said. The world has enough wealth to feed, house and offer medical care to all its inhabitants, but resources are concentrated in the hands of a few people and millions of others struggle to survive.

"What I say and write about the power of the economy and finance is meant to be an appeal so that the poor would be treated better and inequalities would decrease," Pope Francis said.

A particular concern, he said, are the billions of dollars private individuals and companies make from manufacturing weapons, "funds that prosper from innocent blood."

People must become more aware of how the economy works and how much wealth is produced by exploiting people or the environment and by speculation or investing in money rather than in companies that employ people and produce useful products and services, the pope wrote.

"Sin has and continues to stain the original goodness" of human beings and of all creation, "but it cannot cancel the imprint of the image of God present in every person," he said. "Therefore, we must not lose hope: we are living in a difficult age, but one full of new and unheard of opportunities."

More: Economics
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
JR Cosgrove
6 years 8 months ago

While the global economy has allowed billions of people to attain well-being, he said, "the economy and markets have had a role in the excessive exploitation of common resources, increasing inequality and the deterioration of the planet."

Is this explored or delineated anywhere? What are the examples? The Pope is often vague at best.

The latest from america

Pope Francis reads his speech to officials of the Roman Curia and the College of Cardinals during his annual pre-Christmas meeting with them in the Hall of Blessing above the atrium of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Dec. 21, 2024. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
In Francis’ 12th Christmas address to the Roman Curia, he reminded them, “An ecclesial community lives in joyful and fraternal harmony to the extent that its members walk the path of humility.”
Gerard O’ConnellDecember 21, 2024
With the opening of the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis’ schedule of liturgies in December and January has expanded.
Catholic News ServiceDecember 20, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump on Dec. 20 announced his intention to appoint Brian Burch, currently the president of CatholicVote, as the next U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.
Kate Scanlon - OSV NewsDecember 20, 2024
Despite his removal, Bishop Joseph E. Strickland has remained an outspoken detractor of Pope Francis, both online and at various events organized by Catholic laity opposed to the Holy Father.
Gina Christian - OSV NewsDecember 20, 2024