Centesimus Annus was published by Pope John Paul II in 1991 to mark the centenary of Rerum Novarum.
Marina Raj – Vatican
Pope Francis said the book “Women’s Leadership for a Better World” is a call to unite all women in support of women, without discrimination, and to unite the most vulnerable women economically, culturally, ethnically, religiously and gender-wise.
Pope Francis said this while meeting the members of the Centesimus Annus Council and the Consortium of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU) in the Clementina Room of the Vatican on Saturday, March 11, and highlighted that the book is an example of diversity, multiculturalism and the sharing of different sensitivities.
Pope Francis, who met the members at the launch of the book entitled Women’s Leadership for a Better World, highlighted that this event is a new and significant method and the result of the collaboration and contributions of Catholic universities around the world.
Pope Francis emphasized that the richness of the book’s contents derives from the contribution of experiences, skills, feelings, ways, and different approaches, and is an example of the sharing of diversity, multiculturalism, and different sensitivities.
Pope Francis visiting the book
Underlining the three aspects of women’s contribution to greater inclusion, greater respect for others and new challenges, Pope Francis also recalled the discrimination, problems and other weak sections of society that often affect women.
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Reiterating that diversity should never lead to inequality, but rather to gratitude and mutual acceptance, the Pope emphasized that peace can only be created through learning and living together, with aspects of true wisdom.
Pope Francis highlighted that the book is a call to unite all in support of women and without discrimination, especially the most vulnerable in terms of economic, cultural, ethnic, religious and gender, and is a project to see a mother who sees her children as different fingers of the same hand with individuality.
Pope Francis with members
More respect for others.
Pope Francis emphasized that the dignity and fundamental rights of every person, such as education, work and freedom of expression, should be respected, and the voice of women vulnerable to violence, exploitation, marginalization, unnecessary pressure, and violation should be heard, and the injustices inflicted on them should be condemned and offered protection and true liberation.
Facing new challenges in a new way.
Stating that women’s contribution to the common good and their irreplaceable uniqueness are undeniable, the Pope added that it was often women who determined important turning points in the history of redemption.
Also, Pope Francis remembered Sarah, Rebecca, Judith, Susanna, Ruth, Mother Mary, the women who followed Jesus under the cross, and the female saints in history such as Catherine of Sienna, Josephine Baghita, Edith Stein, Mother Teresa, etc., their determination, courage, reliability, Pope Francis also said that the ability to experience suffering is what inspires joy, honesty, humility and perseverance.
Pope Francis pointed out that our history is full of such famous and unknown women and that it is women who lead the journey of families, communities and the Church.
Pope Leo XIII issued the encyclical Rerum Novarum on May 15, 1891, emphasizing the rights and duties of capital and industry. In 1991, Pope John Paul II issued the encyclical Centesimus Annus to mark its centenary.