Pope Francis calls on the young people of the Economy of Francesco to work for social, interpersonal and spiritual sustainability and to acknowledge the cry of the poor and the cry of the planet.
September 26, 2022
By Christopher Wells
“When one young person sees the same calling in another young person and that experience is repeated with hundreds, even thousands of other young people, then great things become possible…”
Pope Francis opened his speech with these words of encouragement to the young people participating in Francesco Economy, reminding them that they can change the world for the better.
The Holy Father recognized that previous generations left many riches to the youth, but “did not know how to protect the planet and did not ensure peace”. Young people, he said, “are called to become artisans and builders of our common home.”
A prophetic vision of the environment and the earth
Pope Francis also highlighted the model of prophecy that was central to Francesco’s economy, insisting on the need for a “new vision of the environment and the earth.”
In addition to ecological sustainability, the Pope also drew attention to the social, relational and spiritual dimensions of sustainability.
Part of this, he said, is recognizing the cry of the poor in the cry of the earth and always thinking of the poor; Building Relationships to Overcome a “Happiness Hunger in the Modern World”; and realize that spiritual capital is more important than economic capital.
Respect, love and care for the poor
Recalling Saint Francis’ love for the poor, Pope Francis insisted that Francesco’s economy “must respect, love and care for the poor, for every poor person, for every fragile and vulnerable person”.
This means not only working for the poor, but also changing the economy. We don’t have to accept poverty like Saint Francis did, but we have to transform the economy to fight the misery people face.
Finally, Pope Francis concluded his remarks with three signposts for the future of youth.
He invited them to see the world through the eyes of the poorest of the poor; to remember those who work with their hands and the importance of work; and to “embody” their ideas into concrete actions.–Vatican News
