Pope Leo Urges Workplace Advisors to Protect Families and Safety
Pope Leo XIV has called on employment consultants to remain close to families and vulnerable workers while promoting dignity and safety in the workplace, stressing that human well being must remain central in economic life. Speaking at the Vatican during a meeting with members of the Italian Order of Employment Consultants, the pope reflected on the responsibilities carried by professionals who advise companies on labor, hiring, and social security matters. Marking the sixtieth anniversary of the professional register for employment consultants in Italy, he encouraged them to look beyond technical compliance and focus on the real lives affected by their work. Pope Leo said that economic systems should never place profit or market rules above people, emphasizing that work should serve individuals and families rather than reduce them to numbers or costs within a system.
In his address, the pope highlighted the pressures faced by young families, parents with small children, and workers who care for elderly or sick relatives. He urged consultants to consider these realities when supporting employers and employees, noting that a truly humane society cannot ignore such needs. Pope Leo also addressed the growing influence of technology and artificial intelligence in professional environments, warning against approaches that weaken personal relationships or undermine solidarity. He said that companies must be understood first as human and fraternal communities, even as digital systems increasingly shape decision making. According to the pope, protecting human dignity in this changing context requires professionals who are attentive, present, and willing to defend the needs of those with limited power or visibility.
The pope devoted particular attention to the issue of workplace safety, lamenting that accidents and deaths at work remain far too common. He described the promotion of safety as a service to life itself and praised employment consultants for their role in providing training and education aimed at preventing harm. Pope Leo said that workplaces should be places where people invest their energy with confidence, not spaces marked by fear or risk. He warned that when safety is neglected, places meant to sustain families and communities can instead become sources of suffering. Emphasizing prevention, he said that avoiding accidents through proper formation and vigilance is a moral responsibility that benefits workers, employers, and society as a whole.
Concluding his remarks, Pope Leo underscored the mediating role employment consultants play between employers and employees, cautioning against excessive bureaucracy or emotional distance from real situations. He said both tendencies can damage workplace environments and weaken trust. Instead, he urged consultants to listen carefully to workers, especially those in difficulty who may struggle to voice their concerns. The pope described this attentive approach as an act of justice and charity, reminding those present that their professional decisions have lasting consequences for families and communities. He encouraged them to carry out their responsibilities with fairness, empathy, and a clear commitment to the common good.
