THE VATICAN–Pope Francis met here with members of Italy’s largest credit union, where he encouraged them to promote an economy that is rooted in honesty, and to promote a “globalization of solidarity.”
“Concern yourself with the relationship between economy and social justice, keeping the dignity and value of the person at the center,” the pope told representatives of the Banca di Credito Cooperativo (BCC) of Rome. “Increase the economy of honesty. You are asked not only to be honest – this is normal – but to diffuse honesty.”
Pope Francis met with BCC managers, employees, and their families in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.
The pope met with the members of the credit union earlier in 2015 where he reiterated his call for the group to promote of social justice, be attentive to youth unemployment, to support families, and to encourage an economy of honesty.
The issue of compassion and fairness within capitalism have been consistent themes for the pope, including prior to his election as pontiff.
Pope Francis also encouraged the credit union representative to promote new enterprises, find new solutions to welfare in the area of healthcare, and to take part in globalization, in order that it may become a “globalization of solidarity.”
“Pope Francis went on to address the concept of ‘subsidiarity’ within the Church’s social doctrine, saying that credit unions practice this concept in the way they confront crises, relying on their own resources rather than on social institutions,” according to local media reports.
“This is subsidiarity: to not put weight on institutions, and therefore on the country, when one can confront problems with one’s own strength, with responsibility,” the Pope was quoted as saying. “This is not only because, as one says, union makes strength, but because there is the need to think bigger, to broaden the horizons.”