via the Vatican:

In a video message, Pope Francis thanked them for their “enthusiasm” in carrying out “the mission to give a new soul to the economy”. He highlighted the urgent need to change the present economic paradigm, as the world struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic, which, he noted, has dramatically “amplified the deep inequalities” caused by the present profit-centred economy: “Over the past two years we have been confronted with all our failures in caring for our common home and family. We often forget the importance of human cooperation and global solidarity; we also often forget the existence of a responsible reciprocal relationship between us and nature”, he said.

Pope Francis once again pointed out that we are “stewards” of the goods of the Earth which has been entrusted to us by God “not masters”: “The pandemic has reminded us of this profound bond of reciprocity; it reminds us that we have been called to care for the goods that creation gives to all; it reminds us of our duty to work and distribute these goods so that no one is excluded. Finally, it also reminds us that, immersed in a common sea”, he said.

Hence the urgent need “to seek new ways to regenerate the economy in the post-Covid-19 age, so that it may be more just, sustainable and solidarity-based, that is, more mutual” and for a “new, integral paradigm, capable of forming the new generations of economists and businesspeople” who respect our “interconnection with the Earth”. The message further highlighted that the mission of an “inclusive, sustainable and supportive” economy includes the “regeneration” of all present social systems. It said that “by instilling the values of fraternity, solidarity, and care for our Earth and common assets in all our structures we might address the greatest challenges of our time, from hunger and malnutrition to the equitable distribution of vaccines against Covid-19”.