During his General Audience, Pope Francis reflected on the social issues brought into focus by the coronavirus pandemic.
This Wednesday, the pope lamented personal and collective individualism, selfishness and indifference, which damage human relationships and create a throwaway culture. He said human beings are social beings, created in the image and likeness of God.
That's why Pope Francis called for respect for the dignity of every person, regardless of race, language or condition.
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In our continuing catechesis on the effects of the current pandemic in light of the Church’s social doctrine, we now consider the theme of human dignity. The pandemic has made us more aware of the spread within our societies of a false, individualistic way of thinking, one that rejects human dignity and relationships, views persons as consumer goods and creates a “throw away” culture (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 53). In contrast, faith teaches that we have been created in God’s image and likeness, made for love and for communion of life with Him, with one another and with the whole of creation. Jesus tells us that true discipleship consists in following His example by spending ourselves in service of others. Our God-given dignity and the rights that arise from it are the ultimate foundation of all social life, and have serious social, economic and political implications.
In responding to the pandemic, we Christians are called to combat all violations of human dignity as contrary to the Gospel, and to work for the well-being of our whole human family and our common home.
