Gallagher takes up Pope Francis’s call to condemn external debt

The secretary of the Vatican for relations with states and international organizations, Mons. Paul Gallagher, resumed the call of Pope Francis to condon or significantly reduce the external debt within the framework of the 2025 jubilee.

“Some 3.3 billion people – almost half of the world population – live in countries that spend more on the payment of debt than in health or education. Therefore, prioritizing those who suffer the most under the weight of these unjust debt structures is essential to build a more fair and compassionate world, “he said.

In a conference in Geneva, organized on February 25 by the permanent observation mission of the Holy See and the United Nations Agency for Commerce and Development, the Vatican Representative stressed that “the benefit is not the only criterion to measure an economy” and that the principal must be “the dignity of the human person.”

The diplomatic representative of the Holy See recalled that in 2023 the world public debt reached 97 billion dollars, an increase of 5.6 billion compared to 2022. In this way, he stressed that the accumulation of public debt in these countries is a huge burden. Their incipient economies do not finish taking off because they are weighed by having to “pay interest.”

A circumstance that forces governments to cut expense or increase taxes, all of which negatively affects the population’s standard of living.

“The less developed countries are vulnerable to economic shocks and need,” said Archbishop Gallagher, “a strategy adapted to face challenges.” Without these measures, many countries run the risk of being “trapped in debt cycles and being unable to improve the well -being of their citizens.”

The Prelate recalled, in that sense, the words of Pope Francis, who said that payments should not be demanded or waiting for people in a given country do not even have access to basic needs.

“The jubilee tradition foresees the cancellation of debts,” said the Vatican Secretary for relations with states and international organizations. “The severity of our current situation requires immediate action. The ambitious cancellation and relief of debt should be the objective we pursue,” he added.

Right to life and vocation to motherhood

The Vatican representative also recalled that the right to life is a “prerequisite for the development of all other human rights.” Citing Pope Francis made clear that “no child is a mistake or guilty of existing, as well as no old or sick can be deprived of hope and discarded.”

He also shared his desire that the 30th anniversary of the World Conference on Beijing’s Women, held in 1995, became an occasion to celebrate the unique “gifts” of women and “support the vocation to motherhood”.

Mons. Gallagher also pointed out that lack of religious freedom is an “obstacle to lasting peace and integral development.” “At present, about 380 million Christians are persecuted for their faith,” recalled the Prelate, who also requested a freedom that includes all confessions.