The pope's reflection on subsidiarity was part of his series of weekly catecheses, launched in August, on Catholic social teaching. Entitled "Healing the World," the pope's message at his Wednesday audiences focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic in light of Church teaching.
In previous weeks, Francis has spoken about the importance of solidarity and the common good. This week he noted that subsidiarity and solidarity were both needed for the good of society.
"This path of solidarity needs subsidiarity," he stressed. "In fact, there is no true solidarity without social participation, without the contribution of intermediary bodies: families, associations, cooperatives, small businesses, and other expressions of society … This type of participation helps to prevent and to correct certain negative aspects of globalization and actions of countries, just as it is happening regarding the healing of people affected by the pandemic."
"These contributions 'from the bottom' should be encouraged. How beautiful it is to see the volunteers during the crisis. The volunteers come from every part of society, volunteers who come from well-off families and those who come from poorer families. But everyone, everyone together to emerge. This is solidarity and this is the principle of subsidiarity."
Another important component of subsidiarity, the pope explained, is that those with a higher responsibility look out for the good of those without adequate resources.
"After the great economic depression of 1929, Pope Pius XI explained how important the principle of subsidiarity was," Pope Francis said.
"On the one hand, and above all in moments of change, when single individuals, families, small associations and local communities are not capable of achieving primary objectives, it is then right that the highest levels of society, such as the state, should intervene to provide the necessary resources to progress."
"For example, because of the coronavirus lockdown, many people, families and economic entities found themselves and still find themselves in serious trouble. Thus, public institutions are trying to help through appropriate interventions. On the other hand, however, society's leaders must respect and promote the intermediate or lower levels."
At the end of his general audience, which took place on a rainy morning, the pope mentioned that he would bless a bell named "The Voice of the Unborn," commissioned by the "Sì alla Vita" foundation.
"It will accompany the events aimed at remembering the value of human life from conception to natural death," he said, noting a desire that its sound would awaken the consciences of legislators and all people of good will.
"During the lockdown, the spontaneous gesture of applauding, applause for doctors and nurses began as a sign of encouragement and hope. … Let's extend this applause to every member of the social body, to each and every one, for their precious contribution, no matter how small," Pope Francis said.
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"Let's applaud the 'castaways,' those whom culture defines as those to be 'thrown out,' this throwaway culture -- that is, let's applaud the elderly, children, persons with disability, let's applaud workers, all those who dedicate themselves to service. Everyone collaborating to emerge from the crisis."
Courtney Mares is a Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. A graduate of Harvard University, she has reported from news bureaus on three continents and was awarded the Gardner Fellowship for her work with North Korean refugees.