Pope Leo XIV addressed industrial and business leaders in Argentina, calling for an economy grounded in human dignity and the common good. He emphasized that economic activity should not serve solely as a mechanism for profit but as a vehicle for justice, inclusion, and respect for every individual. The Pope reflected on the enduring principles of Rerum Novarum, highlighting the rights of workers to fair wages, associations, and dignified living. He stressed that economic life must support families, nurture communities, and contribute to social cohesion. Leaders were urged to consider the broader impact of their decisions, ensuring that prosperity fosters human development and promotes the well-being of society. By aligning business practices with ethical and moral considerations, Pope Leo XIV argued, industry can become a source of hope, opportunity, and holistic progress for communities.
The Pope illustrated his message by pointing to the example of Venerable Enrique Shaw, an Argentine businessman recognized for his commitment to faith and ethical enterprise. Shaw’s leadership demonstrated that industry could be both efficient and morally responsible, providing workers with fair compensation, health support, training programs, and a sense of belonging within the company. Pope Leo XIV highlighted that Shaw’s life showed how charity, transparency, and attentiveness to human needs could coexist with economic productivity. He emphasized that business leaders have a responsibility to ensure that their enterprises promote not only financial success but also human flourishing. By fostering workplaces that respect dignity, provide support, and encourage ethical decision-making, companies can model an economy oriented toward the common good and the integral development of every person involved.
Pope Leo XIV further stressed that wealth and material success carry moral obligations. Leaders must avoid harming the livelihoods of the less fortunate and recognize that even modest resources are vital for the dignity and survival of individuals and families. He argued that economic success should be measured not only in financial terms but in its capacity to enhance human development, promote social cohesion, and care for creation. The Pope called on leaders to create conditions where holiness, justice, and ethical responsibility can guide decision-making in business, allowing economic activity to serve as a force for inclusion, sustainability, and the well-being of all. By fostering a human-centered economy, industry and enterprise can contribute to a society that respects every individual and advances the common good.
