Pope encourages Italian cooperative to live active charity

By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis praised members of Unicoop Florence and "The Hearts Melts" Foundation for their years of service to the neediest members of society, highlighting their work in addressing situations of economic poverty, loneliness, and the need for culture and education.

In addition to traditional charitable works, such as providing food and financial aid, the consumer cooperative and its associated foundation have also used activities such as hiking and providing opportunities to appreciate literature, art, and music in their outreach.

Referring to the cooperative’s foundation fifty years ago, the Pope highlighted their work of safeguarding the interests of consumers and their health and safety, especially through improving education.

Living charity

By protecting consumers, he said, they have “come to grasp a fundamental human dimension, that of helping each one to do something for others, that is, to live charity and active love.”

At the same time, he noted that protecting people means not just looking out for their economic or other narrow interests, “but promoting his or her full realization and dignity.”

The relationship between those who are better off and those who are in need, he continued, “always constitutes a providential opportunity for mutual enrichment.

Animated by a common dream

The Pope explained that the model proposed by Unicoop and The Heart Melts “unites individuals not so much ‘against’ the threat of a common adversary, as ‘for’ the building up of virtuous relations of mutual support.”

He also commended the organizations for their creativity in carrying out their activity, which he said is a result of working together “animated by a common dream.”

He went on to thank them for their work, and especially for their support of “martyred Ukraine,” noting in particular their collaboration with the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.

The Holy Father concluded his remarks with a note of encouragement, calling on them to continue to strive for “the integral development of the person, community growth in the sharing of resources and skills, and inclusion by valuing what each one brings of his or her own, for the good of all.”