杏MAP导航

By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

杏MAP导航 Francis met with the participants in the meeting of the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation in the Vatican on Saturday morning.

In his address to them, he acknowledged all the work carried out by the Foundation, particularly regarding the Church鈥檚 social doctrine: first, at the level of reception - making it known and understood; then at the level of deepening, because they read the complex economic and social world from the inside, and can continually compare the doctrine with reality, which is always in motion and always changing.

Inclusive growth, sustainable development

The 杏MAP导航 then focused on the theme of the meeting: 鈥淚nclusive Growth to Eradicate Poverty and Promote Sustainable Development for Peace."

He said that the key expression 鈥渋nclusive growth鈥� brings to mind St. Paul VI鈥檚 where he states that 鈥渄evelopment cannot be restricted to economic growth alone鈥� but to be authentic, 鈥渕ust be well-rounded鈥� and 鈥渇oster the development of each man and of the whole man.鈥�

Here, 杏MAP导航 Francis stressed that 鈥渄evelopment is either inclusive or it is not development鈥� and highlighted that it is the task, particularly of the lay faithful, to make economic reality "leaven" in an ethical sense, and promote growth in the sense of development.

鈥淎nd you try to do that, starting from the vision of the Gospel,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said. 鈥淔or everything comes from how you look at reality.鈥�

A gaze not turned in on itself

鈥淓verything stems from how one looks and where you look,鈥� affirmed 杏MAP导航 Francis, noting that Jesus鈥� gaze was able to see the gesture of total giving in the poor people who put two pennies in the offering box at the temple (Mk 12: 41 鈥� 44).

He added that the only time it is permissible to look on another from above is in order to help him or her rise.

Illustrating his point, the 杏MAP导航 referred to the work of a contemporary American writer who talks about the time before the stock market crash. The author noted that within the various states, the depression was already being felt and farmers and labourers were in a state of alarm. However, amid the many desperate people he met on the streets, 鈥淢aster Yehudi taught me never to look down on anyone.鈥� (PAUL AUSTER, Mr Vertigo, Turin 2015, 126).

The 杏MAP导航 stressed that 鈥淚nclusive growth finds its starting point in a gaze that is not turned in on itself, free from the pursuit of profit maximization.鈥� Echoing his own words in ,  he said that 鈥渉elping the poor financially must always be a provisional solution in the face of pressing needs. The broader objective should always be to allow them a dignified life through work.鈥�

The Holy Father further warned against a global throwaway culture that will be promoted if everyone fails to commit to pushing for work policies for the most fragile. He recalled the encyclical , where he noted that 鈥渨ealth has increased, but together with inequality, with the result that new forms of poverty are emerging.鈥�

Need for a new outlook

杏MAP导航 Francis highlighted that the 鈥渇uture calls for a new outlook鈥� where 鈥渆ach one in his or her own small way is called to be a promoter of this different way of looking at the world, starting with the people and situations he or she lives in daily life.鈥�

He upheld the example of the Master in Paul Auster鈥檚 鈥淢r Vertigo,鈥� who teaches his student never to look down on anyone as a 鈥済ood indication for everyone.鈥�

He said that with this foundation one can interpret the important reflections conducted during these days through 鈥渢he conversion of each person鈥檚 gaze鈥� 鈥� the humble gaze of one who sees in every man and woman he or she encounters a brother and sister to be respected in their dignity, before possibly seeing a customer with whom to do business.

The Holy Father concluded by thanking the participants of the Centesimus Annus Foundation for their commitment to promoting inclusive growth and knowledge of the Church鈥檚 social doctrine. Finally, with a request for prayers for himself, he blessed them all and their families.