Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has said that scientific, technical and social progress can be truly human only when it serves human dignity and improves living conditions for everyone, especially those who are most disadvantaged.
Continuing his catechesis on the Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et spes during the General Audience, the Pope reflected on the meaning of human activity and the role of progress in the world.
Pope Leo said that human beings are the agents of progress, using their freedom and intelligence to develop society. He also addressed the idea that scientific and technical advancement must come at the expense of a relationship with God.
He explained that such an understanding wrongly presents humanity and God as rivals. According to the Pope, separating human knowledge, freedom and progress from God risks overlooking the transcendent value of every human person.
Gaudium et spes, he noted, presents human work as participation in the Creator’s work. Through their labour and personal efforts, people can contribute to the development of society, seek the good of others and take part in the fulfilment of God’s plan in history.
Pope Leo described creation as still being on a journey and entrusted to human beings so that they can help bring it to fulfilment through wise and responsible activity. Referring to the mystery of the Incarnation, he said that the encounter between humanity and God does not remove human freedom or activity, but instead embraces the whole person.
The Pope also stressed that people do not need to abandon their ordinary responsibilities in order to encounter God. Daily work and earthly vocations can be lived fully and given meaning through their proper exercise.
Christians, he said, share with others the responsibility of building human society, while recognising the distinction between the development of the human city and the Kingdom of God. At the same time, Gaudium et spes teaches that the progress of human society is closely connected with the concerns of the Kingdom of God.
Pope Leo concluded by stressing that technical and scientific progress must be guided by charity if it is to be authentic human progress. Such progress, he said, should protect human dignity and improve the living conditions of all, with particular attention to those who are most disadvantaged.
He recalled the Council’s call to share knowledge and practical skills so that individuals and peoples can develop their potential and work together, with God’s help, towards a better future.