Pope Leo XIV emphasizes that the study and closeness to the poor are fundamental to the Church

“The study and deepening are fundamental, as are the encounter and listening of the poor, treasure of the Church and humanity,” said Pope Leo XIV during an audience held this morning with the members of the Foundation “CENTERIAN CLOVER FOR PONTIFY”.

This Foundation, which this year celebrates more than 30 years of existence, was created on May 1, 1991 by San Juan Paul II on the occasion of the centenary of the Encyclical Of the revolutionary of Pope Leo XIII, considered the starting point of the social doctrine of the modern church and one of the reasons why Cardinal Robert Prevost decided to be called Leo XIV after being elected Pope.

In addition to promoting ethical reflection on economic and social issues, the Foundation is sustained thanks to donors from all over the world and makes a generous donation to the charity works of the Pope.

In his speech in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father insisted that, in the midst of a world marked by “Wars, climate changes, growing inequalities and labor precariousness and rights”, the social doctrine of the Church is called to “offer interpretive keys that Put science and consciousness in dialoguethus offering a fundamental contribution to knowledge, to hope and peace. ”

“Social doctrine, in fact, educates us to recognize that The most important thing is not the problemsnot even the answers to them, but the way we face themwith evaluation criteria and ethical principles, and with openness to the grace of God, ”said the pontiff.

He also recalled that, in the middle of the ongoing digital revolution, “The mandate to educate the critical sense must rediscover, explain and cultivatefighting the opposite temptations, which can also cross the ecclesial body. ”

Give the word to the poor

Pope Leo XIV did not limit himself to highlighting the importance of rigorous thought, but instead linked knowledge with the closest to the most needy: “Who is born and grows away from the centers of power should not simply be instructed in the social doctrine of the Church, but recognized as its continuator and update.”

“I entrust them to give the word to the poor”, He asked strongly, remembering that these are“ discarded points of views, but indispensable to see the world with the eyes of God”.

Doctrine, not indoctrination

The Pope also clarified possible misunderstandings around the word “doctrine”, which is often misunderstood as a synonym for imposition or rigidity: “indoctrination is immoral, prevents critical judgment, threatens the sacred freedom of respect for one’s own conscience … on the contrary, The doctrineas a serious, serene and rigorous reflection, seeks to teach us, above all, to know how to approach situations and people”.

In this sense, Leo XIV explained that, although for many the words “dialogue” and “doctrine” may seem opposite and incompatible, it is necessary to “show, through the social doctrine of the Church, that there is a different meaning – and promising – of the term ‘doctrine’, without which the dialogue is also emptied.”

“In this way, a doctrine does not equals an opinion, but to a common path, coral and even multidisciplinary towards the truth”, The Pope stressed.

A commitment to fraternity

Referring to the theme of the annual conference of the Foundation – “overcome polarizations and rebuild global governance: ethical bases” -, the Pope recalled that “this is not improvised: it is a dynamic and continuous framework of grace and freedom.”

Returning to his first message after the papal election, he urged “Build bridges with dialogue, with the meetingjoining us all to be a single town always in peace. ”

He also highlighted the historical mission of his predecessor Leo XIII: “Pope Leo XIII – who lived in a historical period of epochal and disruptive transformations – aspired to contribute to peace by stimulating social dialogue: between capital and work, between technologies and human intelligence, among the diverse political cultures, among nations.”

Listen to the signs of the times

In his speech, Pope Leo XIV also cited the pastoral constitution Joy and hope of the Second Vatican Council: “It is the permanent duty of the Church scrutinize the signs of the times and interpret them in the light of the Gospel. ”

In line with this mission, he encouraged those present to participate “active and creatively” in the development of the social doctrine of the Church, attending to the “deep desire for spirituality, especially among young and marginalized.”

In addition, he pointed out to the members of the Foundation that they have the opportunity to show that social doctrine, with its particular anthropological vision, seeks to favor true access to social issues: “It is not intended to fly the flag of possession of truth, or regarding the analysis of problems or its resolution.”

“In these issues It is more important to know how to approach than to give a hurried answer about why something has happened or how to overcome it. The objective is to learn to face the problems, which are always different, because Each generation is new”, Recalled.

At the end of his speech, the Pontiff thanked the prayers of the members of the Foundation and blessed them with their families. He encouraged them to continue building a more fair world, guided by the truth, dialogue and mercy.