Pope Francis called for attention to the poor and to the pursuit of peace in a message to the “G-20” meeting that will be held in Brisbane, Australia, on November 15-16.
In his message—addressed to Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who will host the G-20 meeting—the Pope reminded the leaders of the world’s most powerful countries that “many lives are at stake behind these political and technical discussions, and it would indeed be regrettable if such discussions were to remain purely on the level of declarations of principle.” He added:
Throughout the world, the G20 countries included, there are far too many women and men suffering from severe malnutrition, a rise in the number of the unemployed, an extremely high percentage of young people without work and an increase in social exclusion which can lead to criminal activity and even the recruitment of terrorists. In addition, there are constant assaults on the natural environment, the result of unbridled consumerism, and this will have serious consequences for the world economy.
The Pope reminded the G-20 leaders that they will be meeting at a time when warfare still endangers millions of people. While lauding peacekeeping efforts, he insisted that “more is required.” He said: “These conflicts leave deep scars and result in unbearable humanitarian situations around the world.”
Pope Francis called particular attention to the continuing violence in the Middle East, and the duty of international leaders to prevent gross violations of humanitarian law. He also asked for discussion of the problems in the global financial system that led to the crisis of 2008 “and more generally, to speculation lacking political or juridical constraints and the mentality that maximization of profits is the final criterion of all economic activity.”
