Pope Leo XIV warns of the dangers an unjust economy poses to world peace

VATICAN CITY — During Wednesday’s general audience , the last before his trip to South America Nov. 6–17, Pope Leo XIV pointed to the “threat to world peace” posed by the imbalances of an unjust economic system.

“The council fathers highlight, first of all, the threat to world peace deriving from the imbalances linked to an economic development that is neither equitable nor respectful of creation. This is a farsighted vision, which was unfortunately borne out towards the end of the last century and which we see even more clearly today,” the pontiff said, continuing his series of lessons on the Second Vatican Council’s pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes .

He noted that technical solutions alone are not enough to address these problems. Citing the conciliar text, he recalled that “many reforms in the socioeconomic realm and a change of mentality and attitude are required of all.”

The pope also underscored the continuing relevance of the Church’s calls to “commit to eliminating discrimination against the most vulnerable social groups and migrants.”

The pontiff stressed that the social dimension is an integral part not only “of our faith in Christ Jesus” but is also “the…