VATICAN CITY, APRIL 29, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Profit should not be the sole or principal motive for business or commercial activity, says John Paul II.
«Such activity must keep in mind the human factors and is subordinated to the moral exigencies proper to all human action,» the Pope said Saturday when he met with 800 executives of the Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Bank.
The executives came to Rome on pilgrimage from Spain, where the bank is headquartered, and from Latin America, where it has expanded in recent years.
The Holy Father reminded the executives that economic development, if well oriented, «fosters the peaceful coexistence of citizens and allows for a life that is in keeping with human dignity.»
«In this way, man is honored, who is the author, center and end of all economic and social life, and one collaborates in the design of God,» he said quoting from the Second Vatican Council pastoral constitution «Gaudium et Spes,» No. 63.
Moreover, John Paul II said that «the profit motive, even when legitimate, cannot be the principal or even the exclusive motive of business or commercial activity, as such an activity must keep in mind the human factors and is subordinated to the moral exigencies proper to all human action.»
Because of this, the Holy Father called on the executives to make «businesses genuine communities of persons who seek the satisfaction of their economic interests in the framework of the postulates of justice and solidarity, of responsible and constructive work,» fostering genuine and sincere human relations,» and placing themselves «at the service of society.»
He appealed to the bank’s representatives to manifest their «Christian commitment in the realm of your activities, witnessing in word and deed to the teachings of the ecclesial magisterium in social matters.»
