Greed is dangerous for society, says Pope on Angelus

“What legacy do I want to leave? money in the bank, […] Or the happy people around me? This is Pope Francis’ intercession in Angeles on July 31, 2022. The day after his return from Canada, as he does every Sunday, the Pope led Marian prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. -Rock.

Referring to families divided “because of heredity”, the pope devoted his meditation to the vices of “greed”, the “unbridled thirst for possessions”. It is a disease that destroys people, he says, by creating “an addiction”. So the man becomes a “slave”, said the pope, before embarking on “using the money yes, not serving the money”.

Greed is a dangerous disease for society, the pope continued, pointing out that “an unprecedented injustice in history is that a few have a lot and many have nothing.” Likewise, he noted that the thirst for resources and wealth is “always implicated” in wars and conflicts, especially the “arms trade” and “corruption”.

If it is “right” to aspire to be “rich”, the successor of Peter encouraged him to be “rich according to God”. The pope explained that this wealth created by compassion and mercy “does not impoverish anyone, does not create conflicts and divisions” and “loves giving, distributing and sharing”. Thus, “life is not a question of what one has” but of “good relationships: with God, with others and with those who are less”.

Warning of “the greed that is in everyone’s heart”, the Bishop of Rome left the meeting with a series of questions: “Am I tempted to sacrifice relationships and time spent with others, in the name of money and opportunities? […] Am I tempted to sacrifice law and justice on the altar of greed? […] What legacy do I want to leave behind? The money in the bank, the material, or the happy people around me, the unforgettable good deeds, the people who helped me grow and mature? (cath.ch/imedia/ak/bh)