杏MAP导航

By Alessandro Di Bussolo

The , as established by the , “has the task of promoting the human person and the God-given dignity of all, together with human rights, health, justice and peace. It is principally concerned with matters relating to the economy and work, the care of creation and the earth as our 'common home', migration and humanitarian emergencies. It examines and spreads the Church’s social doctrine on integral human development and, in the light of the Gospel, recognizes and interprets both the current and future needs and concerns of the human race.” The prefect is Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., and the secretary is Sister Alessandra Smerilli, F.M.A.

The Dicastery superiors, starting from the left: Cardinal Czerny, Msgr. Ekpo, Sr. Smerilli, Cardinal Baggio

Historical background

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development was established by 杏MAP导航 Francis on 17 August 2016, through the . The Dicastery brought together the competencies of four former Pontifical Councils: the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, and the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers. For the first six years after its founding, issues relating to migrants, refugees, and victims of human trafficking were entrusted to a dedicated section—the Migrants and Refugees Section—which was temporarily placed under the direct leadership of 杏MAP导航 Francis, assisted by two Undersecretaries. As of 1 January 2023, this section has been fully integrated into the Dicastery, which has taken on all of its responsibilities and tasks.

At the request of 杏MAP导航 Francis, in March 2020, with the outbreak of COVID-19, the Dicastery—working in collaboration with other Dicasteries of the Roman Curia and various organizations—established the Vatican COVID-19 Commission. The Commission was tasked with addressing the many challenges posed by the pandemic and alleviating the suffering of individuals and communities, guiding them “with science and imagination” toward a just and equitable future, grounded in the awareness that “everything is interconnected.”

Through its mission, the Dicastery promotes the integral development of the human person in light of the Gospel and the Social Doctrine of the Church. It expresses the 杏MAP导航’s care and concern for suffering humanity and for local churches, serving episcopal conferences, particular churches, and all entities that collaborate with them.

Structure

In its daily work the Dicastery places great emphasis on listening and direct dialogue with local churches, paying close attention to their concerns and the specific needs that reflect the ever-evolving challenges faced by individual communities. Through listening, dialogue, and synodal reflection, the Dicastery offers pastoral guidance and assistance to support and serve the Church. Concrete indications are provided so that local churches can evangelically accompany their people in addressing urgent concerns and situations, including through the sharing of effective best practices, enabling communities to learn from one another. Special attention is given to several key areas within the Dicastery’s competence, including: human rights, health, justice, peace and disarmament,  economy, labor, environment, migrants and refugees, humanitarian emergencies, modern forms of slavery, and all those fields where human dignity is denied or at risk.

The Dicastery advances its mission through a network of relationships involving not only episcopal conferences and local churches, but also other offices of the Roman Curia, various international organizations, non-governmental organizations, Catholic and non-Catholic humanitarian associations and agencies. The highlights the Dicastery’s collaboration with the Secretariat of State and its close relationship with the . It also confirms the Dicastery’s competence over and the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel. Additionally, the Dicastery is responsible for the Van Thuân Foundation, which has inherited the assets and mission of the former Justice and Peace Foundation and Good Samaritan Foundation. The Dicastery engages with the full diversity and richness of people’s lives, seeking growth and well-being for all, ensuring that no one is left behind.