Pope Francis: Look to Heaven for True Justice

By Christopher Wells

At the beginning of the Vatican’s judicial year, Pope Francis expressed gratitude and recognition for the work of the judiciary, especially in light of the reforms that have been implemented in recent years. “These changes,” said the Pope, “will be more fruitful to the extent that they are accompanied by further criminal justice reforms”, especially aimed at combating and suppressing financial crimes; promoting and accelerating international cooperation between Vatican institutions and other financial regulators; and other initiatives of the Vatican Police.

The meaning and task of the church

Pope Francis began his speech by noting that the inauguration of the judicial year due to anti-Covid measures took place in the Hall of the Blessings, located between St. Peter’s Square and the main part of the Basilica. “In this special position,” said Pope Francis, “one can see the meaning and mission of the Church,” founded by Christ “to carry out the mission of sustaining the truth … and” even by its own example. , proclaim humility and humility ”. self-sacrifice. ”

The Holy Father insisted on the “urgency” of identifying and introducing new forms of collaboration, as called for by financial regulators to achieve faster research results. He expressed the hope that meetings could soon be held at the appropriate levels to make cooperation more effective.

Inspired by the principles of church life

At the same time, Pope Francis noted that measures aimed at “absolute transparency of the Vatican City’s institutional activities” should be inspired “by the fundamentals of ecclesiastical life,” while also taking into account internationally recognized “best practices”.

He particularly stressed the importance of ensuring the equality of all members of the Church, and their equal dignity and position, in the procedural system of the Vatican’s judiciary, and called for an end to ‘privileges’ that are not be longer in tune with the responsibilities each individual has in building the Church. “

A duty of testimony

Despite being a relatively small entity, the Vatican nonetheless has a “special duty to witness,” said the Pope. “We are called to bear witness, in concrete and credible terms, in our respective roles and tasks, to the immense patrimony of values ​​that characterize the mission of the Church, to her ‘salt and light’ in society and in the international community , especially at times of crisis such as the present. “

He urged those in attendance to reflect on the fact that in carrying out their day-to-day work “they are making a precious contribution so that the Church, in this very small Vatican City state, can set a good example of what she teaches in its social magisterium. “

And he invited all those who are “called to work in the cause of righteousness,” not to be afraid to “waste time” in prayer, noting that “we only in prayer from God, from his Word, who to draw inner peace that makes us possible. us to carry out our duties with generosity, fairness and foresight. “

The eyes of Justice look to the sky

To illustrate his message with an appeal to the artistic tradition, Pope Francis noted that painting and sculpture on the one hand represent justice as the balancing and balancing of opposing interests, while on the other hand defending the good. “Christian iconography then adds to the previous artistic tradition a detail of no small significance,” he said: “The eyes of justice are not blindfolded, but turned upward and look towards heaven, for only in heaven is there true justice. . “

Pope Francis said he hoped that in the new judicial year, “this consciousness would guide and inspire its audiences” in their “day-to-day work in the service of justice.” He said, “I pray for this and I accompany you with my blessing,” before closing his talk with a request to pray for him in turn.