Pope Francis to entrepreneurs: "The crisis affects everyone, more confidence in young people and attention to women"

"This time is not an easy time , for you and for everyone. Even the business world is suffering a lot. The pandemic has put a lot of production to the test , the whole economic system has been hurt. And now the war in Ukraine with the resulting energy crisis ". Pope Francis said this when he received in audience in the Vatican , in the Paul VI Hall, the participants in the public assembly of Confindustria , led by President Carlo Bonomi .

" The good entrepreneur also suffers in these crises - underlined the Pontiff -, who has responsibility for his company , for his jobs, and who feels uncertainties and risks about himself".

According to Francis, "in the market there are 'mercenary' entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs similar to the good shepherd, who suffer the same suffering as their workers, who do not flee in front of the many wolves that circle around". " People know how to recognize good entrepreneurs - he added -. We also saw it recently, on the death of Alberto Balocco: the whole corporate and civil community was saddened and expressed their respect and gratitude".

TAXES - Then a reference to taxes , "a form of sharing often does not happen" says the Pope. The fiscal pact is the heart of the social pact. Taxes are also a form of sharing wealth, so that it becomes common goods, public goods: school, health, rights, care, science, culture, heritage ". Taxes" must be fair, equitable, fixed on the basis of capacity contribution of each , as stated in the Constitution. The tax system and administration must be efficient and not corrupt ”, the Pontiff specifies. “But taxes should not be regarded as usurpation. They are a high form of sharing of goods, the heart of the social pact ", the clarification.

YOUTH AND WOMEN - So an invitation to “the creation of work , work for everyone, especially for young people. Young people need your trust, and you need young people, because businesses without young people lose innovation, energy, enthusiasm ", Francis said. And then a thrust on women , sometimes forced by motherhood to leave their jobs. "On this aspect of the birth rate - said Bergoglio -, sometimes a woman who is employed here or works there is afraid of getting pregnant . Because there is a reality, I am not saying between you, but there is a reality: as soon as you begin to see the belly, they throw it away. 'No, no, you can't get pregnant.' Please, this is a problem of working women . Study it, see how to make a pregnant woman go on, both with the child she is expecting and with her work ".

(Unioneonline / vl)