Pope recalls global job crisis in talk to Labour office of Apostolic See

(December 19, 2008) With less than a week to go for Christmas, Pope Benedict drew his attention on Friday to the current labour crisis that is involving the whole of humanity. “May the one who has the possibility of a job be grateful to God and generously open his or her heart to one who instead is going through employment and economic difficulties,” Pope Benedict told members of the Labour Office of the Apostolic See. He invoked the protection of Baby Jesus, who on the holy night of Bethlehem became man to come in contact with our difficulties and with those severely tried by this global crisis and arouse in all sentiments of authentic solidarity. Quoting his New Year’s World Day of Peace message, 2009, the Holy Father said, “What the fight against poverty really needs are men and women who live in a profoundly fraternal way and are able to accompany individuals, families and communities on journeys of authentic human development. Known by its Italian acronym, U.L.S.A., the Labour Office of the Apostolic See was instituted by Pope John Paul II on Jan 1, 1989. Though not a labour union in the true sense of the term, the office is responsible for the Holy See’s labour relations with Vatican employees and also settles labour disputes. Pope Benedict reminded the office of its duty of seeing that its work force is ever more efficient and based on solidarity, and urged it to help settle labour disputes through sincere and objective dialogue.