Pope criticises world economic order

NEW YORK
Pope Francis urged a more humane global system that respects the poor and the environment, as he criticised the economic order, in an address to the United Nations.

The pontiff, whose reform-minded approach has won him a rousing global following even from non-believers, offered his vision of a better world on his latest stop of a US tour that has brought thousands to the streets to welcome him.
The leader of the world’s one billion Catholics called for reform to global agencies, including the UN Security Council and financial lenders, to “limit every kind of abuse and usury.”

In a wide-ranging speech, Francis touched on an array of hot-button topics, including the persecution of Christians, the Iran nuclear deal, drug trafficking — “silently killing millions” — and the rights of girls to education.

“The international financial agencies should care for the sustainable development of countries and should ensure that they are not subjected to oppressive lending systems which, far from promoting progress, subject people to mechanisms, which generate greater poverty, exclusion and dependence,” the Pope said.

RESOURCE MISUSE
Francis, the first Latin American pope, hails from Argentina — where economic crises have fuelled criticism of the conditions set by the International Monetary Fund and other institutions.

Francis also gave his latest passionate plea to protect the environment, as he voiced confidence that a high-stakes UN conference on climate change would reach a fundamental and effective agreement in Paris in December.

Reaffirming a “right to the environment,” the pontiff, 78, said the universe was “the fruit of a loving decision by the Creator” and that humanity “is not authorised to abuse it, much less to destroy it.”

“A selfish and boundless thirst for power and material prosperity leads to the misuse of available natural resources and to the exclusion of the weak and disadvantaged,” he said.

APPEAL FOR PEACE

The poor fare worst because they “are forced to live off what is discarded and suffer unjustly from the abuse of the environment,” he said.

Francis appealed for peace around the world and made his latest plea for the protection of Christians, as well as others, persecuted by extremists in Syria and Iraq.

The Pope offered an endorsement of Iran’s agreement with the US and five other powers to limit its nuclear programme.

“The agreement is proof of the potential of political goodwill, exercised with sincerity, patience and constancy,” Francis said.

“I hope that this agreement will be lasting and efficacious.”