Pope Francis emphasized the importance of solidarity among individuals, groups and countries during the 18-minute talk; urging society to overcome the “culture of waste” and not forget others as technology evolves.
“How wonderful would it be if the growth of scientific and technological innovation would come along with more equality and social inclusion,” the Pope said in the recording, filmed in Vatican City.
“Only by educating people to a true solidarity will we be able to overcome the ‘culture of waste,’ which doesn’t concern only food and goods but, first and foremost, the people who are cast aside by our techno-economic systems which, without even realizing it, are now putting products at their core, instead of people.”
The religious leader went on to highlight this importance of unity and compassion, by retelling and referencing the Good Samaritan parable, saying that the story of the Good Samaritan was “the story of today’s humanity”, whereby people’s paths have been riddled with suffering, as “everything is centered around money, and things, instead of people”.
However, the Pope went on to add that despite the “darkness of today’s conflicts”, people had the capability to react against evil and that each and every individual could “become a bright candle”.
