WINDSOR TERRACE — On Sept. 25, Pope Francis addressed the United Nations General Assembly for the second time during his pontificate. Five years ago during the 70th session, the Holy See spoke about the need for peace and environmental justice ahead of the General Assembly’s formal adoption of the then-new global framework, Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The framework was composed of 17 goals and 169 targets to eliminate poverty, fight inequality, and tackle climate by 2030.
This time during his second address, Pope Francis urged the international community to do better over the next decade and to honor those promises made five years ago. He also expressed his desire for the U.N. to “increasingly serve as a sign of unity between States and an instrument of service to the entire human family,” especially as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Pope Francis stated the current crisis “offers an opportunity for the United Nations to help build a more fraternal and compassionate society.”
Pope Francis elaborated on taking a path that leads to a renewed sense of global co-responsibility, “a solidarity grounded in justice and the attainment of peace and unity within the human family, which is God’s plan for our world.”
Continuing on the topic of COVID-19, the pope renewed his appeal to political leaders and the private sector to ensure access to vaccines and essential technologies needed to care for those who are sick. He said the poorest, most vulnerable, and those who often experience discrimination should be given preference, as every person is entitled to basic medical care.
In terms of employment — which has been destabilized by widespread robotization and increasing uncertainty due to the pandemic, according to Pope Francis — new forms of work that are capable of fulfilling human potential and affirming human dignity need to be found and utilized. He added that this can be achieved because we already possess social awareness and the necessary cultural and technological resources.
In the same vein, Pope Francis called for an end to economic injustice and a better global economic model — one that encourages subsidiarity, supports economic development at the local level, and invests in education and infrastructure benefiting local communities. This, the pope believes, will lay down a foundation for economic prosperity and the renewal of the larger community and nation.
Pope Francis also spoke of refugees, migrants, and the internally displaced who often find themselves deprived of opportunities to better their life and their family’s lives. He noted this situation is “intolerable, yet intentionally ignored by many.” Millions of children around the world, who continue to be affected by the pandemic, are also unable to return to school, which Pope Francis said risks leading to an increase in child labor, exploitation, abuse, and malnutrition.
The pope concluded his address with a call-to-action for the U.N. to “become an ever more effective international workshop for peace,” acting with greater unity and determination.
“The pandemic has shown us that we cannot live without one another, or worse still, pitted against one another,” Pope Francis said. “The United Nations was established to bring nations together, to be a bridge between peoples.
“Let us make good use of this institution in order to transform the challenge that lies before us into an opportunity to build together, once more, the future we all desire.”
Work offers dignity. “New forms of work that are capable of fulfilling human potential and affirming human dignity need to be found and utilized” – Pope Francis