Globalization has created unprecedented opportunities for economic exchange and development, but it has also deepened inequality and led to the exploitation of workers and resources in many parts of the world. The Church has responded to these challenges by promoting a globalization of solidarity, in which ethics guides economic decisions and human rights are respected at every level.
Pope John Paul II and Globalization: In his encyclical “Centesimus Annus,” John Paul II recognized the potential of the free market, but also warned that a market without ethical regulation can lead to exclusion and dehumanization. The market economy is acceptable only when it is directed toward the common good and respects the dignity of every person.
Pope Francis and the Critique of Neoliberalism: Pope Francis has been even more critical of neoliberalism and the current economic system, which he describes as an “economy that kills.” In his encyclical “Evangelii Gaudium,” Francis warns that a system promoting accumulation and unrestrained consumption leads to a throwaway culture, in which the poor and the weak are treated as waste.
The Economy of Communion: The Church has promoted alternatives to traditional capitalism and socialism, such as the Economy of Communion, an initiative born within the Focolare Movement, in which businesses are organized so that profits are shared with the poor and reinvested in the development of the community. This business model combines economic efficiency with solidarity and social commitment.
