The good of men

Francis in Trieste launches a political warning without borders: democracy? «It is not in good health». How to cure it? «By training participation » in an anti-«populist temptation» key. The Pope arrives on July 7 in the capital of Friuli Venezia Giulia to conclude the Social Week of Catholics in Italy, the ecclesiastical event now in its 50th edition, and warns that the democratic crisis is «transversal to several nations». He therefore relaunches the commitment of Christians, indicating the path to follow: "Peace and good political projects can be reborn from below", but it is necessary to increase "efforts for a social formation that starts with young people". He quotes Umberto Saba, "poet of this city", who speaks of the "debris", that is, waste, of humanity ": the bishop of Rome asks himself why "we are not scandalized" in the face of the pain of the marginalized, the weak, the last, those who suffer from «the evil that is spreading».

Even though «sick», for Bergoglio democracy remains the only antidote against the virus of selfishness that poisons society and the halls of power. The Italian Church is gathered for the symbolic event of democratic Catholicism, dedicated this year «At the heart of democracy. Participating between history and future». The Pope urges it to foster more civil activism, without stopping at the threshold of a faith relegated to the private sphere.

The Pontiff warns: «In today's world, let's face it, democracy is not in good health. This interests and worries us, because the good of man is at stake, and nothing that is human can be alien to us.» In full agreement with what was stated by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella at the opening of the CEI demonstration, Francis points out that democracy « does not simply coincide with the people's vote.» He says he is worried about the abstention rate: « I am worried about the small number of people who went to vote. What does this mean?». « It is a void that we need to reflect on urgently and in depth, because democracy « requires that the conditions be created so that everyone can express themselves and participate.» The Pope defines the Constitution as «“a compass” reliable for the journey».

And then, the fears for populist movements that would threaten the main democracies of the planet: «Participation cannot be improvised: it is learned as children, as young people, and it must be “trained”, also in the critical sense with respect to ideological and populist temptations». The papal appeal is loud and clear: without thinking of a party of Catholics, «we cannot be satisfied with a marginal faith. This means not so much demanding to be listened to, but above all having the courage to make proposals for justice and peace in the public debate. We have something to say, but not to defend privileges. We must be a voice that denounces and proposes in a society often voiceless and where too many have no voice»

Domenico Agasso
NP August/September '24