At the last event of his
one-day Apostolic Journey to Mauritius on Monday, Pope Francis
launched an appeal to the nation's politicians and civil
servants for a better distribution of economic prosperity to all
sectors of society, Vatican News reported.
He especially mentioned young people.
Youth unemployment in Mauritius hovered around 23% in 2018
for 15-24-year-olds, according to the World Bank, while overall
unemployment clocked in at less than 7%.
The Pope pointed out the disparity, while praising the
country's steady economic development since independence in
1968. "It appears that economic growth does not always profit
everyone," he said, "and even sets aside - by certain of its
mechanisms and processes - a certain number of people,
particularly the young."
So he urged Mauritius' political leaders to promote an
economic policy "focused on people", one that favors "a better
division of income, the creation of jobs, and integral promotion
of the poor."
The alternative, he noted, would be to "yield to the
temptation of an idolatrous economic model that feels the need
to sacrifice human lives on the altar of speculation and profit
alone".
Pope Francis also praised the democratic tradition that makes
Mauritius "a haven of peace." And he encouraged politicians to
be examples to their compatriots in their conduct and fight
against corruption.
He said the island nation's culture is the result of
successive waves of migration, making it particularly diverse.
Around 48% of the country's population of 1.26 million is Hindu,
33% Christian - of which 26% is Catholic - and 17% Muslim.
"For this reason," said the Pope, "I encourage you, in
fidelity to your roots, to take up the challenge of welcoming
and protecting those migrants who today come looking for work
and, for many of them, better conditions of life for their
families."
He called on Mauritians to be "protagonists and defenders of
a true culture of encounter that enables migrants - and everyone
- to be respected in their dignity and their rights."
Finally, Pope Francis voiced his appreciation for the way the
nation's different religions work together towards building a
harmonious society.
"And I express once more," he concluded, "the desire of the
Catholics of Mauritius to continue to participate in this
fruitful dialogue that has so deeply marked the history of your
people."
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