Introduction
In the modern, tech-driven world – where AI and digital advancements dominate headlines with both promises and apocalyptic fears, along with environmental concerns and wars – we could all use a little guidance from history. The post-World War II generations, inheritors of a world full of potential to rebuild and reshape society, often found themselves entangled in conflicts over natural resources, perpetuating different kinds of wars. Today, we have a chance to chart a new path. While many Christians may aspire to dialogue with Jesus, there is another historical figure whose wisdom feels particularly resonant today—St. Francis of Assisi. Known for his deep love for nature and compassion for all living beings, St. Francis continues to inspire us to be stewards of our common home, Earth.
Pope Francis, following in the footsteps of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II, has used his position to promote the values of St. Francis of Assisi. Through his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ 1, in which the concept of integral ecology2 was introduced, Pope Francis has continued to advocate for environmental stewardship. He urges people everywhere to care for our common home through ecumenical dialogue with leaders from other religions and partnerships with politicians, governments, and global non-profit organizations.
Event Description
A recent meeting, “Common Good: Theory and Practice,” held at Sala Pio XI in Vatican City on November 12, 2024, highlighted the principles of integral ecology. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life (PAV), commenced the proceedings3 by addressing the critical need to redefine the concept of the ‘common good.’ He stated that, “If 1 % of the world’s population controls 46% of the available resources, if 10% possesses 80%, and 50% -half the world’s population – possesses nothing, how can the coexistence among peoples hold?”4.
He highlighted how the surge of elitism, the rise of repressive oligarchies, economic regionalism, and sectoral protectionism across the globe underscore the inadequacies of current political and economic systems. Archbishop Paglia emphasized that these disparities are exacerbated by globalization and the weakening of welfare states, leading to adverse effects on peace and stability. He stressed that these modern-day problems are critical to all people on our planet and require a reimagined approach to achieve true common good. He then read a message from Pope Francis, which set a deeply contemplative tone for the event.
Pope Francis reiterated the importance of holistic life ethics and the necessity of safeguarding life through not only bioethical debates but also by considering the social and cultural contexts affecting our existence5. He acknowledged the diverse backgrounds of the women present on the panel, emphasizing that inclusive dialogue is essential in addressing global challenges.
Panel Discussion: Insights from Leading Advocates
The panel included influential female leaders: the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley -renowned for the Bridgetown Initiative6, a groundbreaking proposal in 2023 to reform the world of development finance to address the challenges of climate change and inequality – and Dr. Mariana Mazzucato, an ordinary member of the PAV, economist at University College London, and Co-Chair of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water. Moderated by journalist Sabina Castelfranco, the vibrant dialogue evoked a flowing current, carrying lives and stories along its path as it explored the intersections between economics, social justice, and the environment, emulating the dynamic energy of water in motion.
Dr. Mazzucato discussed the various interconnected crises confronting the world, focusing on the need for a different approach to capitalism and the importance of symbiotic relationships in corporate governance and innovation. Dr. Mazzucato’s account of symbiotic relationships as a model for leadership was particularly insightful. Just as different species of plants and animals live and work together for mutual benefit, leaders must learn to foster environments where different sectors – public, private, and NGO – can collaborate. These collaborations should integrate equity into financial and corporate governance frameworks that nurture rather than exploit, much like the concept of integral ecology advocated by Pope Francis. Dr. Mazzucato explained that in many sectors, including the tech industry, public sector research and investment often drive radical innovation, yet private sector profits do not reflect the collective value created. Using examples of parasitic, rather than symbiotic and mutualistic public-private partnerships, such as industrial water waste from corporations given water rights and personal data collected through internet search engines, Dr. Mazzucato argued that it is crucial to govern new technologies such as AI from the beginning to create contracts that are symbiotic and reciprocal, rather than exploitative.
Prime Minister Mottley, a strong advocate for biodiversity and environmental conservation, described the key themes from her efforts. Known for the National Tree Planting Campaign7, Roof to Reefs Program8, and the Latin America and the Caribbean Action Plan9, she reiterated her commitment for a radical rethinking of the global financial system, proposed in the Bridgetown Initiative. Key themes include climate finance reform that encourages development banks to lend to developing nations for climate resilience; suspension of debt payments on loans for countries dealing with pandemics or natural disasters; a global climate mitigation trust backed by private-sector funding; reform for credit rating agencies to eliminate systemic biases against small and poor countries; carbon pricing mechanisms like cap-and-trade; and special drawing rights by the IMF to support climate and development finance. She argued for debt relief as a critical step toward enabling these nations to invest in necessary environmental and social changes.
The two speakers’ call to action was clear: the next decade is crucial for building resilience and adapting to inevitable changes to our planet. Without immediate and substantial efforts backed by concrete metrics to ensure symbiotic leadership, partnerships, and practice, the world risks significant loss of lives, increased migration, and heightened insecurity.
Reflection: Integrating Faith, Technology, and Ecology
This thought-provoking talk provided ample opportunities to reflect on the intersection of AI, faith, and integrated ecology. The key themes from Laudato Si’ (LS) emerged as a reimagined approach for merging theory and practice. They include interconnectedness of all creation, ethical use of technology, care for the poor and vulnerable, environmental degradation and climate change, call for global ecological conversion, and integral ecology. These themes stand in contrast to the prevailing culture of hyper-individualism, intensified capitalism, collapse of peaceful coexistence, and solidarity with the poor.
Interconnectedness of all creation means that ecological, social, and economic issues are all interconnected: “Everything is connected. Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.” (LS 91). The principle of ensuring that solving a problem for one group or nation does not create issues for another is fundamental to sustainable and equitable policy making. Latest news on the AI industry’s use of the world’s cheapest labor in African countries10 is a serious ethical concern.
Pope Francis calls for a critical examination of the impact of technology on society and the environment, stating that “technology, which, linked to business interests, is presented as the only way of solving these problems.” (LS 20). This is a relevant theme when considering the hype around generative AI, which has been celebrated for its potential to revolutionize many industries. However, it is crucial to address its broader societal, economic, and environmental implications. There are concerns about job displacement, deepfakes, and the environmental impact of training and expanding large AI models, including water conservation issues11 and the reopening of nuclear power plants pursued by the big AI corporations12.
The theme of environmental degradation and climate change reminds that “the climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.” (LS 23). Prime Minister Mottley brought a sense of urgency to this theme, sharing her insights rooted in the real-world challenges faced by nations like Barbados, which are on the frontline of environmental crises. AI technology can be useful to predict environmental degradation and tackle climate change so that proactive measures can be taken.
Pope Francis advocates for an inclusive and comprehensive dialogue to foster an ecological conversion on a global scale, stating that “we need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all.” (LS 14) Like religious conversions, ecological conversion involves a transformation of hearts and minds and care for the well-being of all creation, the poor and vulnerable. Pope Francis connects care for creation with spiritual and moral responsibilities stating that “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” (LS 217). We need to ensure that as the external deserts in the world are growing, the internal deserts in our hears will not grow because of advanced AI technologies.
Pope Francis’s vision of the common good as a “communion of faces, stories, and persons13” articulated in the message resonates strongly with the themes of the event. His call for a practice-based approach to the common good, rooted in fraternal acceptance and justice, provides a profound ethical foundation for policy making. This perspective encourages moving beyond theoretical discussions to actionable strategies and metrics that respect and uplift all individuals within the ecosystem.
Conclusion: Pathways to a Sustainable Future for Our Home
The event “Common Good: Theory and Practice” offered a platform for critical discourse on pressing global issues. Pope Francis’s message, alongside the insights from Dr. Mazzucato and Prime Minister Mottley, illuminated the path towards a more just and equitable world. Their dialogue demonstrated the transformative potential of integrating diverse perspectives in the pursuit of the common good, echoing the Pope’s appeal for solidarity and shared humanity.
By reflecting on these discussions, we are reminded of the urgent need to rethink and redesign our economic and social policies to align with the principles of justice, sustainability, and inclusivity. The event serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for all who strive to contribute to the common good. From bytes to biomes, our journey must be guided by a commitment to responsibly integrate technology and ecology. Let us commit to building a world where advanced technology like AI serves the common good, where economic systems nurture rather than exploit, and where we all act as stewards of God’s handiwork.
Watch the event
The event was live streamed and the recording is still available via the Pontifical Academy for Life’s Youtube account.
