Pope Francis met with Italian entrepreneurs and industrialists on Monday and encouraged them to stay focused on the big picture vision of the common good and to use their creativity to build a new global economy that respects human dignity and the environment.
By Thaddeus Jones
Pope Francis welcomed the entrepreneurs who are members of the Italian non-profit association “Anima per il sociale nei valori d’impresa”, founded in 2001 by an organization that represents industrialists and businesses in Rome and the Lazio region . The association brings together business people who share a mission to promote a culture of corporate social responsibility, as well as economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Focus on the common good
Quoting from encyclical letter Laudato si’the Pope began by emphasizing that “today, with a view to the common good, it is urgent that politics and the economy enter into a frank dialogue at the service of life”, of the environment and of our common home.
He recalled that the great financial crisis of
2007-2008
Global and local in harmony
Acknowledging that the representatives present are mainly from small and medium-sized businesses, Pope Francis said they clearly know how difficult it is to succeed and create jobs while respecting ethical values with corporate responsibility.
At the same time, he called on them not to become discouraged or think that ethical criteria hinder success in business.
He said that if we want to build a better and more human world, the economy must be freer from the power of finance and more concrete and creative in the search for forms of production directed by an integral ecology.
Even more, globalization must be “governed” so that the global does not come at the expense of the local, but that the two realities are in harmony and linked together in a virtuous and mutually beneficial way.
Basic Networking
Naturally, it is easy to wonder how small entrepreneurs can cope with the “giant Goliath” of financial and technocratic powers, the Pope observed, but here too he expressed his optimism that the creation of a new economy that respects human dignity and the environment can and should start from the bottom up – and there are so many examples of this already happening around the world.
We need to share these experiences, he said, so that others are informed and a network can be created that can have a growing impact on society.
Take care of the soul
In conclusion, Pope Francis gave them some advice, “as a bishop,” saying that if you want more “soul” in the business world, be sure to take care of your own God-given soul. .
It takes time to reflect, think and contemplate, he says, because to inspire others, you have to let yourself be inspired by the good, the beautiful and the true.
They need only look to the legacy of Italian entrepreneurs who knew how to increase not only profits, but also the quality of life and work by using their freedom and creativity springing from an inspired conscience.
