Pope Francis points against foreign debt as a “control mechanism” and calls for redirecting military spending

He Pope Francis published a message loaded with calls for reflection, where warned about the dangers of external debt as a “control” mechanism about the plow income countries and incited world powers to rethink your financial priorities.

His words were published within the framework of the 58th World Day of Peaceand point to an urgent change linked to allocating the resources invested in weapons to the fight against hunger and sustainable development.

The Argentine did not spare criticism when pointing out how the foreign debt became, according to him, a tool to subjugate the most vulnerable nations. Thus, he noted that “some governments and financial entities in rich countries act without scruples, taking advantage of the human and natural resources of the States poorest to satisfy the demands of international markets.

“I never tire of repeating that the external debt is today an instrument of control”the pontiff wrote in his message titled “Forgive us our offenses, grant us your peace.” Furthermore, he highlighted that “this global dynamic, if not based on solidarity and interdependence, perpetuates injustices aggravated by corruption, leaving the most disadvantaged countries trapped.”

The panorama that Francis described is backed by figures from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which They place Argentina as the country with the highest external debt in the world, reaching the US$32 billion. This problem also affects nations of Africa, South America, Europe and Asia.

The proposals to redirect military spending

In addition to his denunciation of the debt, the Pope focused on the growing budgets for military weaponscalling them “disproportionate to global humanitarian needs.” In his message, he urged the powers to establish a Global Fund dedicated to eradicating hunger and promoting sustainable development.

“We should use at least a fixed percentage of the money invested in weapons to create a fund that definitively eliminates hunger and facilitate educational activities in the poorest countries,” said Francisco, also underlining the importance of combat climate change as part of this strategy. .

This message from the Pope aligns with his recurring vision of building a more just and equitable international system, based on cooperation between nations. The pontiff insists that only a radical change in economic priorities can break the vicious circle of poverty, exploitation and conflict.

Pope Francis calls for “reciprocal respect” between religions in Syria

Pope Francis called on different religions in Syria to promote the “reciprocal friendship and respect” last Friday, asking, at the same time, that the Syrian people can live in peace. These statements were made at the end of the general audience held on Wednesday at the Vatican.

Furthermore, he highlighted that Syria is going through a “delicate moment in history” and expressed his wish that both the Syrian people and the various religions in the country can live together in peace, security and harmony. In this context, he asked that different religious beliefs walk together, promoting friendship and mutual respect.

Finally, the pope invited the parties involved to find a “responsible political solution” that allows the stability and unity of Syria without further conflicts or divisions, a crucial issue in the context of the civil war that has devastated the country for more than a decade.