The pontiff, renowned for his advocacy for the underprivileged and migrants, painted a grim picture of our ‘increasingly lacerated’ world, bringing to light the suffering of millions due to prolonged conflicts and wars.
The Pope’s discourse was a plea for solidarity and cooperation to address the global challenges that confront us, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and economic inequality.
Pope Francis underscored the moral responsibility of leaders in combating poverty and promoting peaceful cohabitation. He stressed the need for innovative strategies to foster social cohesion and address the injustices that serve as the root causes of conflict.
In his letter to the event, which began on January 15 and will continue through Friday, Pope Francis referred to the pressing need for international political actions that, through the adoption of coordinated measures, may effectively pursue peace and development objectives.
How could it be possible that people continue to starve, to be exploited, to be condemned to illiteracy, to lack basic medical care and to be homeless in today’s world,” he added.
On the other hand, Pope Francis stated, “the exploitation of natural resources continues to enrich a few and leave entire populations, who are the natural beneficiaries of those resources, in a state of destitution and poverty”.
States and businesses must unite “to promote forward-looking and ethically sound models of globalization,” subordinating the pursuit of power and individual, political or economic profit “to the common good of our human family, prioritizing the poor, the needy and those in the most vulnerable situations,” he urged.
He emphasized the significance of “intergovernmental structures being able to effectively exercise their control and guidance functions in the economic sector, since the attainment of the common good is an objective beyond the reach of individual states.”
“International organizations also have the challenge of ensuring the achievement of that equality which is the basis of the right of all to participate in the process of full development,” Pope Francis added, calling for social cohesion, fraternity and reconciliation between groups, communities and states.
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