Pope to Mauritius’ authorities:
Promote jobs for youth, welcome migrants
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| Pope Francis signs the guestbook prior to his meeting with government authorities (AFP) |
Pope Francis greets the authorities, representatives of
civil society, and diplomatic corps of Mauritius, and urges them to welcome
migrants and to extend economic well-being to all young people.
By Devin Watkins
At the last event of his one-day Apostolic Journey to
Mauritius on Monday, Pope Francis launched an appeal to the nation’s
politicians and civil servants for a better distribution of economic prosperity
to all sectors of society.
He especially mentioned young people.
Youth unemployment in Mauritius hovered around 23% in
2018for 15-24-year-olds, according to the World Bank, while overall
unemployment clocked in at less than 7%.
People focused policy
The Pope pointed out the disparity, while praising the
country’s steady economic development since independence in 1968. “It appears
that economic growth does not always profit everyone,” he said, “and even sets
aside – by certain of its mechanisms and processes – a certain number of
people, particularly the young.”
So he urged Mauritius’ political leaders to promote an
economic policy “focused on people”, one that favors “a better division of
income, the creation of jobs, and integral promotion of the poor.”
The alternative, he noted, would be to “yield to the
temptation of an idolatrous economic model that feels the need to sacrifice
human lives on the altar of speculation and profit alone”.
Cultural diversity and peace
Pope Francis also praised the democratic tradition that
makes Mauritius “a haven of peace.” And he encouraged politicians to be
examples to their compatriots in their conduct and fight against corruption.
He said the island nation’s culture is the result of
successive waves of migration, making it particularly diverse. Around 48% of
the country’s population of 1.26 million is Hindu, 33% Christian – of which 26%
is Catholic – and 17% Muslim.
Welcoming migrants
“For this reason,” said the Pope, “I encourage you, in
fidelity to your roots, to take up the challenge of welcoming and protecting
those migrants who today come looking for work and, for many of them, better
conditions of life for their families.”
He called on Mauritians to be “protagonists and defenders of
a true culture of encounter that enables migrants – and everyone – to be
respected in their dignity and their rights.”
In fruitful dialogue
Finally, Pope Francis voiced his appreciation for the way
the nation’s different religions work together towards building a harmonious
society.
“And I express once more,” he concluded, “the desire of the
Catholics of Mauritius to continue to participate in this fruitful dialogue
that has so deeply marked the history of your people.”
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