Pope Francis is in Assisi for the international conference “Economy of Francis” to meet and listen to young economists and entrepreneurs from all over the world. The Pope urged them to translate their ideals into concrete actions.
(Vatican news network) Pope Francis went to Assisi on the morning of September 24 to participate in the international conference on “The economy of Francis”. He wrote to young economists and entrepreneurs three years ago, in 2019, inviting them to participate in the “Economia di Francesco” program. This time, young people from more than 100 countries participated in this first live meeting with a common goal.
Several young entrepreneurs testified on the scene, followed by a speech by the Pope. First he admitted that the new generation of people today is in a period of environmental crisis, epidemics and wars, and that adults have failed to “protect the earth and protect peace “. The common home “is collapsing”. Therefore, a new economy inspired by the Franciscans of Asia and the West can and must today be an economy of friendship with the earth and an economy of peace.
This economy, the Pope said, has in itself a prophetic value, “a characteristic of Francis of Assisi throughout his life after his conversion”. In the Bible, “prophecy is associated with youth”, like Samuel, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, as well as Daniel. The young people of the Bible “are bearers of the spirit of science and wisdom”.
“In fact, when civic groups and businesses lack the talents of young people, entire societies wither and people’s lives are extinguished. There is no creativity, optimism, enthusiasm, courage to take risks. A society without young people And the economy is pathetic, pessimistic and cynical. But thank God, you are here: you are not alone tomorrow, but today, you are not alone “still”, you are “already”, you are now.
Referring to “The economy of plants”, the theme of “The economy of Francis” for this year’s reflection, the Pope stressed that “the Bible is full of trees and plants, from the tree of life to seeds of mustard … for the past two centuries. In the midst of this, our human development has come at the expense of the planet. The planet has paid the bill. We often plunder it to increase our well-being, but not everyone’s. “
“We need a quick and decisive change”, the Pope said. “I mean it seriously: I am counting on you”. Then he goes on to talk about how environmental sustainability is linked to social, interpersonal and spiritual sustainability. Indeed, “the earth and the poor cry out the same cry” (cf. Encyclical Laudato d’Or, n. 49).
“We cannot ignore the men and women who suffer as we try to save the planet. The pollution that kills is not just carbon dioxide, inequality is also a deadly pollution for our planet.”
Turning to the theme of human relations, the Pope observed that, especially in Western countries, these “are becoming sterile”, with groups and families increasingly fragmented. “Loneliness is a big problem of our time”, and consumerism takes advantage of it, trying to erase with its products the spiritual dimension inherent in the human being. “The vulnerability of many young people derives from the lack of this precious spiritual capital: an intangible capital but more real than finance or technology”.
The Pope returns to the source of inspiration of the “Economy of Francis”, the saint of Assisi who chose the poor and the poor. The Pope said that it is not enough “to work for or with the poor” and that “new ways should be opened for the poor themselves to be protagonists of change”. St. Francis not only loved the poor, but he never despised their poverty. We are “willing to help the poor, but we do not respect them, we do not understand the true meaning of the phrase ‘the poor are blessed'”.
That said, the Pope pointed out three points for these young men and women entrepreneurs before him. In the first place, “seeing the world through the eyes of the poorest” and imagining what “the vision of the victims and the discarded” is. The Pope said: “To have the eyes of the poor and the victims, you need to know them and be their friends. If you become friends with the poor and share their life, you also share something of the kingdom of God, because Jesus Christ said that the the kingdom of heaven is theirs, and therefore they are blessed. “
Second point, do not forget the opportunity to “create jobs, good jobs” and do not forget the workers. The third point is to be specific. Ideals, aspirations and values must be translated into concrete actions that require the use of both hands in addition to the mind and the brain. The Pope said: “Ideals are necessary, but if they are not concretely realized they will become traps. The Church has always resisted the temptation of epistemology, according to which it is enough to change the world with different knowledge, without the need for specific efforts. .
Finally, the Pope concluded his meeting with young men and women economists and entrepreneurs from all over the world with a prayer. He first asked the Father to “forgive us for our actions that seriously damage the earth and have not respected the indigenous culture”, and then he asked God to bless the young “for their business, their studies and their dreams”, to accompany them through difficult times, and to “give them the joy of changing the world with your love, talent and hands”.
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