Scottish Catholic Observer

Wealth and power must serve the common good, Pope Francis told pilgrims this morning.

“The scriptures show that these serve the common good if used in accordance with the demands of justice, charity and mercy,” the Holy Father said during his general audience address to pilgrims—including those from Scotland—in St Peter’s Square. “Used selfishly and arrogantly, they become a source of corruption and death, as we see in the story of Naboth, unjustly put to death so that King Ahab might take possession of his property.”

The Pope had previously discussed the Biblical account of Naboth, a man unjustly put to death so that King Ahab might take possession of his property

“Jesus tells us that we show our greatness not by domineering but by humbly serving one another,” he said. “Just as the Lord sent the prophet Elijah to call Ahab to repentance, he sent his Son to show the power of his mercy which triumphs over sin and injustice.

“Jesus is the true King, whose saving power is shown in the cross. During this Holy Year let us ask him to draw near to sinners, to show us his mercy, and to redeem the many situations of injustice in our world by the power of his grace and forgiveness.”

Departing from his prepared text, the Pope recommended a text by St Ambrose of Milan, a 4th century bishop.

“This is not a story from other times,” he said. “It is a story of today, as well, a story of the powerful who exploit the poor, who exploit the people for their own gain. It is the story of human trafficking, of slave labour, of poor people who work ‘under the table’ and for a pittance in order to enrich the powerful—it is the story of corrupt politicians who want more and more. For this, I said it would do us well to read St. Ambrose’s book on Naboth—because it is a book about current events.”

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