In one of the most remarkable talks of his papacy, Pope Francis made a strong case for the common good—for social justice based on solidarity.

I would like to make an appeal to those in possession of greater resources, to public authorities and to all people of good will who are working for social justice: never tire of working for a more just world, marked by greater solidarity! No one can remain insensitive to the inequalities that persist in the world!  Everybody, according to his or her particular opportunities and responsibilities, should be able to make a personal contribution to putting an end to so many social injustices.  The culture of selfishness and individualism that often prevails in our society is not what builds up and leads to a more habitable world: it is the culture of solidarity that does so, seeing others not as rivals or statistics, but brothers and sisters.

A key part is calling out those with “greater resources” and specifically “public authorities”.  A common way to evade the responsibilities that exist under Catholic Social Teaching is to argue that they are only to be applied in the private sphere, in one’s individual conduct—that government is a different story.  Pope Francis is correcting this argument, which is simply incompatible with Church teaching.  Governments are called to create a more just society.  Private charity will always be necessary, commendable, and something that binds persons together.  But to allow for the perpetuation of injustice, out of a preference for private action, is indefensible and contrary to solidarity, love, and justice.  Those with wealth, influence, and power, especially government authorities, must use these resources to build a more just society and end the social injustices that are so readily apparent in our world today.  As the pope says, we must see others persons, with dignity and worth, not as statistics or rivals in a social Darwinian contest.  Selfishness and individualism are the great threats to building a more just society.  Americans especially must take note, as the cult of individualism is far too strong in our society.

The Holy Father explained the importance of helping those most in need:

No amount of “peace-building” will be able to last, nor will harmony and happiness be attained in a society that ignores, pushes to the margins or excludes a part of itself. A society of that kind simply impoverishes itself, it loses something essential. Let us always remember this: only when we are able to share do we become truly rich; everything that is shared is multiplied! The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty!

What an excellent standard for our society: “The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need.”  This must be the standard for our society and our government.  Government action is not always the answer.  But social justice is impossible without robust government action.  The Church has long condemned libertarianism (classical liberalism), which denies the fundamental duties of government, lacks an adequate commitment to solidarity, and is grounded in an excessive individualism that cannot be reconciled with the Catholic belief in community.  This does not mean that devout Catholics with firm, real commitments to Catholic Social Teaching will reach the same conclusions on all political matters.  But it does mean that policy agendas that would cut taxes for billionaires while slashing food stamps for children are transparently unjust and entirely incompatible with the Catholic understanding of charity and justice (with all due respect to Paul Ryan and his fellow plutocrats, whether they have been blinded by ideology or are simply cynical servants of the rich).  As the Pope says, “It is certainly necessary to give bread to the hungry – this is an act of justice.”  Not a nice thing to do, not admirable charity, but justice, a duty.

Given the current state of society and politics in so many places, it is hard to imagine a world where those in power turn their attention to those most in need.  But as Pope Francis reminds us, hope is the only answer.  It will not be easy, but that is no excuse for inaction.  Evil exists.  It is real and it won’t disappear without being confronted.  We must heed the advice of Pope Francis: “Do not grow accustomed to evil, but defeat it.”