Fr Paddy Byrne

Pope Francis: ‘market capitalism has failed’ ON the anniversary of St Francis of Assisi’s death, Pope Francis celebrated Mass before the saint’s tomb and signed his encyclical ***Fratelli tutti***. In a major document outlining his view of the world, Pope Francis has warned against “myopic, extremist, resentful and aggressive nationalism” in some countries and a “growing loss of the sense of history”. ***Fratelli tutti*** – the third encyclical letter of his papacy addressed to the whole of the Catholic Church – was published on Sunday 4 October, the feast of St Francis of Assisi, amid global uncertainty and anxiety over the Covid-19 pandemic and rising populism. Pope Francis urges nations to work towards a just and fraternal world based on common membership of the human family. He expands on familiar themes in his teachings, including opposition to war, the death penalty, slavery, trafficking, inequality and poverty; concerns about alienation, isolation and social media; and support for migrants fleeing violence and seeking a better life.

You can read Fr Paddy Byrne’s weekly column: Time to think, in full in next week’s issue of the Laois Nationalist on sale in all local stores from Tuesday 13 October.