Entrepreneurs must be men of solidarity and prayer, says Pope

May 12, 2014

In an audience with members of the Centesimus Annus – Pro Pontifice Foundation, Pope Francis reflected on solidarity, the theme of the foundation’s conference in Rome.

Solidarity is “intrinsic to the social doctrine” of the Church and “always harmonizes with subsidiarity,” said Pope Francis, who noted that the theme “emerged with great prominence in the magisterium of St. John Paul II” and was “updated by Benedict XVI in Caritas in Veritate.”

Referring to an “allergy to words like solidarity, fair distribution of goods, [and] the priority of labor,” which has been intensified by the current economic crisis, Pope Francis said that “the Christian entrepreneur is encouraged always to compare the Gospel with the reality in which he works; and the Gospel asks him to give priority to the human person and the common good, to do his part to ensure that there are job opportunities for work, for dignified work.”

Noting that the work environment sometimes becomes “arid, hostile, inhumane,” the Pope said that “the entrepreneur needs to pray, and pray a lot when the challenges are tougher.”

 

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Further information:

• Udienza ai Partecipanti all’Incontro promosso dalla Fondazione Centesimus Annus - Pro Pontifice (Holy See Press Office)
• The Pope Receives the Centisimus Annus: The Crisis Has Worsened the 'Allergy' of Solidarity (VIS)
• Vatican conference explores solidarity, fraternity in business (CWN, 5/9)