杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni

I am writing, 杏MAP导航 Francis says in his , 鈥渢o invite you take part in an initiative very close to my heart鈥�, an event he says, that will allow him to meet young economists who are interested in 鈥渁 different kind of economy: one that brings life not death, one that is inclusive and not exclusive, humane and not dehumanizing, one that cares for the environment and does not despoil it.鈥�

The event he is referring to is a conference to be held in Assisi from 26 to 28 March 2020 entitled 鈥淓conomy of Francis.鈥�

The need to re-animate the economy

Expressing his belief that there is a need to 鈥渞e-animate鈥� global economy, the 杏MAP导航 says Assisi, a city that symbolizes a humanism of fraternity, is the right place.

鈥淪aint John Paul II chose Assisi as the icon of a culture of peace.  For me, it is also a fitting place to inspire a new economy鈥� he writes.

The 杏MAP导航 goes on to note that the life and vision of St. Francis are so timely they can "give hope to our future and benefit not only the poorest of the poor, but our entire human family鈥�.

Protection of planet and social justice connected 

He says that as emphasized in his encyclical 鈥楲audato Sì鈥�, protection of the planet and social justice are profoundly interconnected and solutions must be found to the structural problems of the economy.

鈥淲e need to correct models of growth incapable of guaranteeing respect for the environment, openness to life, concern for the family, social equality, the dignity of workers and the rights of future generations鈥� he writes.

The appeal Saint Francis received from the Crucifix to go and 鈥渞epair my house which, as you see, is falling into ruin鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Francis continues, 鈥渋ncreasingly concerns the environment, which urgently demands a sound economy and a sustainable development that can heal its wounds and assure us of a worthy future鈥�.

The 杏MAP导航 makes it clear that his message is addressed above all to young people who 鈥渃an hear in [their] hearts the ever more anguished plea of the earth and its poor, who cry out for help and for responsibility, for people who will respond and not turn away鈥�.

Young people protagonists of change

Young people, he continues, are the protagonists of necessary change: 鈥測our universities, your businesses and your organizations are workshops of hope for creating new ways of understanding the economy and progress, for combating the culture of waste, for giving voice to those who have none and for proposing new styles of life.   Only when our economic and social system no longer produces even a single victim, a single person cast aside, will we be able to celebrate the feast of universal fraternity鈥�.

In his letter 杏MAP导航 Francis also underscores the need for a communion of intentions that goes beyond 鈥渄ifferences of creed and nationality鈥� and is inspired by 鈥渁n ideal of fraternity attentive above all to the poor and excluded鈥�.

Francis of Assisi, the 杏MAP导航 concludes, 鈥渙ffers us an ideal and, in some sense, a programme.  For me, who took his name, he is a constant source of inspiration. With you, and through you, I will appeal to some of our best economists and entrepreneurs who are already working on the global level to create an economy consistent with these ideals.  I am confident that they will respond.  And I am confident above all in you young people, who are capable of dreaming and who are prepared to build, with the help of God, a more just and beautiful world鈥�.