Fratelli Tutti, A Prophetic Vision

INTRODUCTION

Among the various suggestions Fratelli Tutti puts forward, including the rejection of the death penalty, the idea of a global fund to combat hunger appears as a prophetic vision.

SHARE THE WORD

PUBLISHED ON

In his new encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis proposes the creation of a global fund against hunger which would be financed by the astronomic budget allocations for military expenditures.

“With the money used in weapons and other military expenses, we set up a global fund to end hunger for good and for the development of the poorest countries,” writes the pope on the encyclical letter signed at the tomb of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy.

Written five years after Laudato Si, the new encyclical has fraternity and social friendship as its central themes, and was inspired by the figure of St. Francis of Assisi. In the document, Francis suggests ways to build a more just and peaceful world in which we recognize each other as brothers and sisters of the same human family.

Addressed to all his “brothers and sisters” living in a wounded world brought to its knees by the coronavirus pandemic and other crises including poverty, hunger, racism and violence, Pope Francis invites everyone “to renewed hope.”

The encyclical has been acclaimed as a timely document, laying out a post COVID-19 vision so much lacking in a chaotic world manipulated by populists disseminating misinformation. Some of our brothers from the Islamic religion welcomed the encyclical letter as a further step in consolidating the bonds of friendship between religions.

Pope Francis is standing out as a credible and moral figure, offering a pathway out of the current crisis humanity is experiencing. In the middle of an unprecedented calamity, the pope is urging nations to come together as a force to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The popular proverb applies in the current circumstances: “We either stick together or succumb together.”

Among the various suggestions Fratelli Tutti puts forward, including the rejection of the death penalty, the idea of a global fund to combat hunger appears as a prophetic vision. The actual pandemic has exacerbated hunger and poverty due to unemployment and the collapse of the economies as a result of the lockdowns.

The global fund would be financed by money spent in military expenditures which appear unabated even in the midst of the pandemic. It is estimated that a small fraction of the expenses in armaments can, indeed, alleviate the basic and urgent needs of the most vulnerable people, like food and shelter. Are world leaders willing to embrace this prophecy as the new normal in a post COVID-19 world?

Share Your Thoughts

All comments are moderated

From The Same Issue

The articles and content about this issue

From The Same Issue

The articles and content about this issue

Winds of the Spirit

Five Loves

From This Topic

The articles and content about this topic

From This Topic

The articles and content about this topic

Explore Other Topics

Browse other coverage

Explore Other Topics

Browse other coverage

WM SPECIAL

Presents, discusses and draws readers to reflect on issues of outmost relevance to the world today.


FRONTIERS

Very often, mission is carried out in frontier situations around the world. Those who embrace these situations have much to share.


UNITY IN DIVERSITY

Writer Ilsa Reyes will be exploring the richness of Pope Francis’s latest encyclical Fratelli Tutti with a view of helping our readers to get a grasp of the this beautiful papal document.


FRONTLINE

Puts to the front committed and inspiring people around the world who embrace humanitarian and religious causes with altruism and passion.


IN FOCUS

Focus on a given theme of interest touching upon social, economic and religious issues.


FAITH@50

As the Philippines prepares to celebrate 500 years of the arrival of Christianity. Fr. James Kroeger leads us in this series into a discovery journey of the landmark events in the history of faith in the Philippine archipelago.


INSIGHT

Aims to nurture and inspire our hearts and minds while pondering upon timely themes.


FILIPINO FOCUS

The large archipelago of the Philippines, in its richness of peoples and cultures, offers varied and challenging situations for mission.


FOLLOW ME

Reflections and vocation stories that shape up the lives of young people.


MISSION IS FUN

As humor and goodness of heart are qualities of Christian and missionary life, the new column “Mission is fun” will be publishing some anecdotes and stories that have happened in a missionary context to lighten up the spirits and trigger a smile in our faces.


LIVING COMMUNION

To help readers of World Mission live this year dedicated to Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue and Indigenous Peoples, Tita Puangco, writer and lecturer, shares in this section insights on the spirituality of communion.


WINDS OF THE SPIRIT

A historic view of the Catholic movements that emerged from the grassroots as an inspiration by the Holy Spirit.


BRIDGE BUILDERS

On the Year of Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue and Indigenous Peoples, radio host and communicator Ilsa Reyes, in her monthly column, encourages Christians and people of good will to be one with their fellow people of other sects, religions and tribes.


INTERVIEW

Questions to a personality of the Church or secular world on matters of interest that touch upon the lives of people.


WORLD TOUCH

News from the Church, the missionary world and environment that inform and form the consciences.


CARE OF THE EARTH

A feature on environmental issues that are affecting the whole world with the view of raising awareness and prompting action.


EDITORIAL

The editor gives his personal take on a given topic related to the life of the Church, the society or the world.


YOUNG HEART

A monthly column on themes touching the lives of young people in the Year of the Youth in the Philippines by radio host and communicator I lsa Reyes.


SCROLL

A missionary living in the Chinese world shares his life-experiences made up of challenges and joyous encounters with common people.


EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Life stories of people who deserve to be known for who they were, what they did and what they stood for in their journey on earth.


ONE BY ONE

Stories of people whom a missionary met in his life and who were touched by Jesus in mysterious ways.


INCREASE OUR FAITH

Critical reflection from a Christian perspective on current issues.


SPECIAL MOMENTS

Comboni missionary Fr. Lorenzo Carraro makes a journey through history pinpointing landmark events that changed the course of humanity.


PROFILE

A biographical sketch of a public person, known for his/her influence in the society and in the Church, showing an exemplary commitment to the service of others.


WM REPORTS

Gives fresh, truthful, and comprehensive information on issues that are of concern to all.


LIFE'S ESSENTIALS

A column aimed at helping the readers live their Christian mission by focusing on what is essential in life and what it entails.


ASIAN FOCUS

Peoples, events, religion, culture and the society of Asia in focus.


THE SEARCHER'S PATH

The human heart always searches for greatness in God’s eyes, treading the path to the fullness of life - no matter what it takes.


INDIAN FOCUS

The subcontinent of India with its richness and variety of cultures and religions is given center stage.


AFRICAN FOCUS

The African continent in focus where Christianity is growing the fastest in the world.


JOURNEY MOMENTS

Well-known writer and public speaker, Fr. Jerry Orbos, accompanies our journey of life and faith with moments of wit and inspiration based on the biblical and human wisdom.


IGNATIUS STEPS

On the year dedicated to St. Ignatius of Loyala, Fr. Lorenzo Carraro walks us through the main themes of the Ignatian spirituality.


THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS

Fr. John Taneburgo helps us to meditate every month on each of the Seven Last Words that Jesus uttered from the cross.


INSIDE THE HOLY BOOK

In this section, Fr. Lorenzo delves into the secrets and depths of the Sacred Scriptures opening for us the treasures of the Sacred Book so that the reader may delight in the knowledge of the Word of God.


CONVERSATIONS

Reflections about the synodal journey on a conversational and informal style to trigger reflection and sharing about the synodal path the Church has embarked upon.

Shopping Cart