Paraphrasing Pope Paul VI, Francis noted that “politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good.”
Vatican City (31/07/2024 18:14, Gaudium Press) The Holy See released a video message in which Pope Francis announces his prayer intention for the month of August: for political leaders. At the beginning of the video, the Pontiff states that although politics currently does not have a good reputation, we cannot move towards universal fraternity without good politics.
Politics is one of the highest forms of charity
Paraphrasing Pope Paul VI, Francis comments that “politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good.” The Holy Father clarifies that he is not talking about politicking, but about politics “that listens to reality, that is at the service of the poor, (…) that cares for the unemployed. (…) politics is much nobler than it appears.”
That political leaders may be at the service of their people
Finally, the Pope expresses his gratitude “to the many politicians who perform their tasks with a will to serve, not to gain power, all their efforts for the common good.” He also urges Catholics to pray “that political leaders may be at the service of their people, working for integral human development, working for the common good, caring for those who have lost their jobs, and prioritizing the poorest.”
The world without good politics and the world with good politics
The message is illustrated by images showing life situations in two different contexts (the world without good politics and the world with good politics): one, in which people survive on their own, and another in which, on the contrary, they have found a response—sometimes in an emergency manner, sometimes permanently—to their problems.
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
