Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Catholic News

Home

Home
Catholic
Religion News
Pope Francis asks workers: give immigrants compassion, not blame

Pope Francis asks workers: give immigrants compassion, not blame

Last updated on: June 21, 2015 at 4:40 pm by CNA Daily News

Pope Francis asks workers: give immigrants compassion, not blame 2015-06-21T16:40:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Turin, Italy, Jun 21, 2015 / 10:40 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has encouraged workers not to blame their economic troubles on migrants, who are themselves often victims of injustice and treated like merchandise rather than human beings.

“Immigration increases competition, but migrants are not to blame, because they too are victims of inequality, of this economy of waste and of war,” the Pope said, remarking on the various crises, especially in Africa and the Middle East, which have driven migrants to Italy’s shores in droves.

“It makes you cry to see the spectacle during these days in which human beings are treated like merchandise,” he added in off-the-cuff remarks.

The pontiff’s remarks came during a meeting with workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs in the northern city of Turin’s Piazzetta Reale. The meeting was the first stop in his two-day visit.

“My visit to Turin begins with you,” Pope Francis told his audience as he reflected on the importance of work.

“Work is necessary, not only for the economy, but for the human person, his dignity, his citizenship, and his social inclusion,” he said.

The Pope expressed his particular closeness to young people who are unemployed, and to other workers in various sectors who are having difficulty moving forward.

“Now is the time to reactivate solidarity between generations, to restore faith between young people and adults,” he said.

The Pope also addressed the rights of women, who “carry the majority of the weight in caring for the houses, the children, and the elderly, (yet) are nonetheless discriminated against, even in work.”

Pope Francis, after arriving in Turin early Sunday morning, met with the workers as the first stop on his trip.

The pontiff observed that even Turin, Italy’s third largest economic center historically known for its manufacturing, has been affected by the economic crisis.

“In this we are called to reaffirm the ‘no’ to an economy of waste,” which calls us to resign ourselves “to the exclusion of those who live in absolute poverty,” he said.

Pope Francis called on the faithful to say “no” to the idolatry of money, “no” to corruption, and “no” to inequality which, he said, “generates violence.”

The complexity of the current global situation is such that it is not enough for “recovery,” the Pope said. There needs to be an “economic model” that is organized, above all, toward the common good, not merely as a function of capital and production.

“Turin is called to be once again the protagonist of a new season of economic and social development with its tradition of manufacturing and craftsmanship,” as well as its traditions of research and innovation, the pontiff added.

He also addressed the need for a “social and generational pact,” and the need to open new possibilities through support and education.

Pope Francis cited the example of Saint John Bosco, the Turin saint whose 200th birthday is being celebrated this year. He was known for his social action to help young people. He founded the Salesians to educate the impoverished young and prepare them for occupations.

“Don Bosco teaches us that the best way is that of prevention: even social conflict must be prevented, and this is done with justice,” the Pope said.

Europe

Previous Post

June 21, 2015

Shroud of Turin reminds us of all human suffering, Pope Francis says

Next Post

June 21, 2015 Pope in Turin: Allow God to make us new

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, who ignored the injured man before the Samaritan helped?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A priest and a Levite A farmer and a shepherd A Roman soldier and a scribe A fisherman and a tax collector