Remarks on the Social Teaching of Pope Francis

Abstract

The author of the article claims that Pope Francis, like his predecessors, sees the ideas of dignitas humana and bonum commune as the basis of social teaching, arguing that human rights stem from the inalienable human dignity. The pope rejects the Marxist ideology and appeals for the Christian understanding of private property. He stresses the need for environmental protection and calls for the use of the preferential option for the poor. Pope Francis also supports the traditional Catholic understanding of the marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman, while also emphasising the differences between them. When all is taken into account, it has to be observed that the pope’s social teaching falls in line with that of his predecessors.