08 Feb VIDEO MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE 7th WORLD DAY OF PRAYER, REFLECTION AND ACTION AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Dear Sisters and Brothers!

I address all of you who work against human trafficking and who are spiritually united today on this World Day of Prayer, which also has a specific intention: “An Economy without Human Trafficking”. I am pleased to know that this year several moments of prayer are interfaith, one of which will also take place in Asia.

I extend my message to all people of good will who pray, engage, study and reflect to fight against human trafficking; and especially to those — like Saint Josephine Bakhita, whom we celebrate today — who have experienced the tragedy of human trafficking in their own lives.

This Day is important because it helps us all to remember this tragedy, and encourages us not to stop praying and fighting together. May reflection and awareness always be accompanied by concrete gestures, which also open up paths to social emancipation. Indeed, the aim is for every enslaved person to return to being a free agent of his or her own life and to take an active part in the construction of the common good.

Dear friends, this is a Day of Prayer. Yes, there is a need to pray to support the victims of trafficking and those who accompany the processes of integration and social reintegration. Prayer is needed so that we may learn to approach with humanity and courage those who have been marked by so much pain and despair, keeping hope alive; prayer to sentinels capable of discerning and making choices oriented towards good. Prayer touches the heart and impels us to concrete actions, to innovative, courageous actions, able to take risks trusting in the power of God (cf. Mk 11:22-24).

The liturgical memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita is a powerful reminder of this dimension of faith and prayer: her witness resonates, ever alive and relevant! And it is a call to place trafficked persons, their families, their communities at the centre. They are the centre of our prayer. Saint Bakhita reminds us that they are the protagonists of this day, and that we are all at their service (cf. Lk 17:10).

And now I would like to share with you some ideas for reflection and action on the theme you have chosen: “An Economy without Human Trafficking”. You can find other ideas in the message I addressed to the participants in the “Economy of Francis” event last 21 November.

An economy without human trafficking is:

1. An economy of care. Care can be understood as taking care of people and nature, offering products and services for the growth of the common good. An economy that cares for work, creating employment opportunities that do not exploit workers through degrading working conditions and gruelling hours. The Covid pandemic has exacerbated and worsened the conditions of labour exploitation; job losses have penalized many victims of trafficking in the process of rehabilitation and social reintegration. “At a time when everything seems to disintegrate and lose consistency, it is good for us to appeal to the ‘solidity’ born of the consciousness that we are responsible for the fragility of others as we strive to build a common future” (Encyclical Fratelli Tutti, 115). Therefore, an economy of care means an economy of solidarity: we work for solidity combined with solidarity. We are convinced that solidarity, well administered, results in a more secure and firm social compact (cf. ibid.).

2. An economy without human trafficking is an economy with market rules that promote justice, and not exclusive special interests. Human trafficking finds fertile ground in the approach of neo-liberal capitalism, in the deregulation of markets aimed at maximizing profits without ethical limits, without social limits, without environmental limits (cf. ibid., 210). If this logic is followed, there is only the calculation of advantages and disadvantages. Choices are not made on the basis of ethical criteria, but by pandering to dominant interests, often cleverly obscured by a humanitarian or ecological veneer. Choices are not made by looking at people: people are numbers, to be exploited.

3. For all that, an economy without human trafficking is a courageous economy — it takes courage. Not in the sense of recklessness, of risky operations in the hope of easy gains. No, not in that sense; of course it is not courage that is needed, on the contrary, it is the courage of patient construction, of planning that does not look always and only at the very short term gain, but at medium and long term results and, above all, at people. The courage to combine legitimate profit with the promotion of employment and dignified working conditions. In times of great crisis, such as the current one, this courage is even more necessary. In times of crisis, human trafficking proliferates, as we all know: we see it every day. In times of crisis, human trafficking proliferates; therefore, we need to strengthen an economy that may respond to the crisis in a way that is not short-sighted, in a lasting way, in a solid way.

Dear brothers and sisters, let us put all this in our prayer, especially today, through the intercession of Saint Bakhita. I pray for you, and let us all pray together for every person who at this moment is a victim of human trafficking. And please, do not forget to pray for me. Thank you!

28 Dec MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS, SIGNED BY CARDINAL SECRETARY OF STATE PIETRO PAROLIN, TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE 43rd EUROPEAN MEETING ANIMATED BY THE COMMUNITY OF TAIZÉ

[…] On the contrary, let yourselves be inhabited by this hope, it will give you the courage to follow Christ and to work together with and for the most needy, especially for those who struggle to face the difficulties of the present time. “Hope is bold, it knows how to look beyond personal comfort, the small securities and compensations that narrow the horizon, to open up to great ideals that make life more beautiful and dignified. Let us walk in hope ”(All Brothers, 55). During this year, may you continue to develop a culture of encounter and fraternity and to walk together towards that horizon of hope revealed by the resurrection of Christ. […]

10 Dec VIDEO MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE (ONLINE) MEETING ON THE SYRIAN AND IRACHEN HUMANITARIAN CRISIS PROMOTED BY THE DICASTERY FOR THE SERVICE OF INTEGRAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Dear friends,

It is with joy that I address this affectionate greeting to you during this meeting
organized by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, together
with other instances of the Holy See, to discuss and reflect on the very serious
problems that still afflict the beloved populations of Syria, Iraq and Neighboring
countries.

Every effort – small or large – made to foster the peace process is like laying a
brick in the construction of a just society, which is open to welcome, and where
everyone can find a place to dwell in peace. My thoughts go especially to the
people who had to leave their homes to escape the horrors of war, in search of
better living conditions for themselves and their loved ones. In particular, I
remember the Christians forced to abandon the places where they were born
and grew up, where their faith developed and enriched. We must ensure that the
Christian presence, in these lands, continues to be what it has always been: a
sign of peace, progress, development and reconciliation between individuals and
peoples.

Secondly, my thoughts go to the refugees who want to return to their country. I
appeal to the international community to make every effort to encourage this
return, guaranteeing the conditions of security and economic conditions
necessary for this to happen. Every gesture, every effort in this direction is
precious.

A final reflection on the work of Catholic agencies that are engaged in
humanitarian aid. A thought of encouragement to all of you who, following the
example of the Good Samaritan, are working unreservedly to welcome, care for
and accompany migrants and displaced persons in these lands, without
distinction of creed and belonging. As I have said many times, the Church is not
an NGO. Our charitable action must be inspired by and by the Gospel. This aid
must be a tangible sign of the charity of a local Church that helps another
Church that is suffering, through these wonderful means which are Catholic
humanitarian aid and development agencies. A Church that helps another
Church!

To finish, I want to let you know that when you find yourself operating in these
places, you are not alone! The whole Church becomes one, to go out to meet the
wounded man who ran into the brigands on the way from Jerusalem to Jericho.
In your work, my blessing will always accompany you, which I gladly impart to
you today, so that this meeting may bring abundant fruits of prosperity,
development and peace to your countries, for a new life. Thanks!