Pope Francis Calls for “Copernican Revolution” of Economy in the Wake of COVID-19 Pandemic
Evan James
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Pope Francis has urged world governments to transform their economic systems to be more equitable and just, calling what he envisions a “Copernican revolution.”
“There is need for a kind of new Copernican revolution that can put the economy at the service of men and women, not vice versa,” the pope said, referring to the paradigm shift that occurred in the 16th century when Nicolaus Copernicus posited that the universe was heliocentric, not geocentric.
This new economy would be “one that brings life not death, one that is inclusive and not exclusive, humane and not dehumanizing, one that cares for the environment and does not despoil it.”
The pope made these remarks in his annual address at the Apostolic Palace to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See. He not only spoke about the economy, but a wide range of issues. The most serious issue we face, he said, is a “general anthropological crisis” of human relationships.
“I am convinced that fraternity is the true cure for the pandemic and the many evils that have affected us. Along with vaccines, fraternity and hope are, as it were, the medicine we need in today’s world,” the pope said.
Pope Francis’ traditional gathering with the ambassadors was originally scheduled for January 25 but had to be pushed back two weeks because of recent sciatica nerve pain that limited his ability to stand and walk.
Because he’s the chief pastor of the Church and the spiritual authority of over a billion Christians, Pope Francis often has to speak in general principles and employ vague language. But it’s hard to imagine how he’s not envisioning a quasi-socialist world order.
Cheryl Chumley, writing an op-ed in the Washington Times, is thus not wrong when she says that the pope’s words, though not outright endorsing socialism, will nonetheless “quietly, softly, soothingly guide his followers down a path of acceptance for a new economic model that has zero to do with the free market, zilch to do with American capitalism.”
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