Pope Francis at Rimini Meeting: 'People before borders,' expose unjust power

Pope Francis addressed the Meeting of Rimini, emphasizing that "people come before borders, definitions, and institutions." He stated that this awareness is "at the heart of Christianity" and encouraged the event to serve as a dynamic "crossroads for the Church and society."

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Peace is guarded and spread by people who love to meet and are not afraid to confront each other.

"Peace is guarded and spread by people who love to meet and are not afraid to confront each other," the Pope declared, referencing his encyclical "Fratelli tutti" and its teaching on cultivating "social friendship." He praised the Meeting of Rimini for not becoming an "enclave" but rather a space that "multiplies encounters and inspires new paths."

The pontiff issued a strong call for a new societal model. He urged the audience to "free coexistence from suspicion, culture from arrogance, education from ideology, work from the idolatry of profit, and technology and finance from the business of death." He stressed the need to "expose the unjust power relations at the root of poverty and inequality, war, and environmental disasters."

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Before borders, definitions, and institutions, there are always people. This awareness is at the heart of Christianity.

Pope Francis also warned against unchecked technological advancement, stating, "We must disarm technological development when it becomes pervasive and destructive." He called for "courageous pioneers" to lead by example, beginning with their own "change of course," to make the required "conversion" credible for everyone.

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Let us free coexistence from suspicion, culture from arrogance, education from ideology, work from the idolatry of profit, and technology and finance from the business of death.

Upon his arrival at the Rimini Fair, which saw a record 60,000 attendees, the Pope was met with an enthusiastic crowd. He visited a pavilion dedicated to St. Augustine and later spoke to young people, echoing a sentiment from Pope John Paul II: "If today's world needs anything, it is communion." He told the youth, "You know how to build communion through friendship, you know how to respect one another to build peace." He concluded by saying the world needs their "charity and fidelity."

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Expose the unjust power relations at the root of poverty and inequality, war, and environmental disasters. Disarm technological development when it becomes pervasive and destructive.