In a message sent to participants of the 3rd Festival of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Pope Francis encouraged the faithful to be guided by conscience rather than the idolatry of money. The event, which is taking place in Verona from November 21st – 24th, reflects on the theme “Fewer inequalities, more difference.”
Echoing his thoughts on the youth and the elderly, the Holy Father warned of uniformity in today’s world that discards the young and old.
“Nowadays, the young and the elderly are considered dispensable as they do not correspond to the productive logic of a functionalist vision of society, they do not respond to any useful criterion of investment,” the Pope said. “They are described as ‘passive’, they do not produce but rather in the market economy they are subjects of production. We must not forget, however, that the young and the elderly both bring great richness: they are both the future of a people.”
The Holy Father spoke as well on the Social Doctrine of the Church, calling a “great reference point” that contains reflections to guide one’s life.
“Those who work in economics and finance are certainly attracted by profit and, if they are not careful, they risk placing themselves in the service of profit itself, thus becoming slaves to money,” he said. “The Social Doctrine contains a great patrimony of reflections and hope that is able, even today, to guide people and preserve their freedom. It takes courage, thought and the strength of faith to stay within the market while guided by a conscience that places at the centre the dignity of the person, not the idol of money”.
Concluding his message, Pope Francis appealed to the faithful attending the festival to work together in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation.
“Work and the dignity of the person walk the same path together, side by side. Solidarity applies also to guaranteeing work: co-operation constitutes an important element for ensuring the plurality of presences of employers on the market,” he said.
