(May 19, 2007) Both, in the emerging economies of the world competing for the global
market and in struggling economies, development must be seen more in human terms than
in purely economic terms. Pope Benedict XVI made the statement on Saturday to some
350 participants in an international meeting promoted by the Vatican-based “Centesimus
Annus - Pro Pontifice” foundation. The organization, instituted in 1993 in part to
diffuse Catholic social teaching, is named after Pope John Paul’s 1991 social encyclical,
“Centesimus Annus,” or ‘Hundred Years.’ The meeting studied the economic, social,
religious and cultural implications of the growing role of emerging economies in the
global market. Pope Benedict noted that the meeting particularly focussed on Asian
nations marked by strong economic growth, which however, he said, does not always
indicate true social development. Meanwhile in African countries, unfortunately,
economic growth and social development face many obstacles and challenges. It is
not only a question of raising all peoples to the level currently enjoyed by the richest
countries, the Pope said; but rather of building up a more decent life through united
labour, of concretely enhancing every individual's dignity and creativity, as well
as his capacity to respond to his personal vocation, and thus to God's call. In this,
the Pope said, the chief inspiring principles must be the true needs of the human
person, respect for the dignity of every person and sincere search for the common
good. The often paradoxical and dramatic inequality in the today’s globalized society,
the high level of pollution and irresponsible consumption of the environment and
natural resources indicate that only a process of globalization based on solidarity
can ensure a future of authentic welfare and stable peace for humanity, the Pope added.