VATICAN CITY -- Marking Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, Pope Francis spoke in Saint Peter’s Square calling for a redistribution of wealth from the rich to the poor.  An audio message was also sent via the popular social media device Whatsapp to the young people of the Prelature of the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in the first contribution in the “Keep Lent” initiative of the Shrine’s youth ministry office.

 In his address, the pontiff commented on the importance of this Lent, which falls during celebration of the Jubilee Year.  In the book of Leviticus, the jubilee is a heightened moment for the religious and social lives for the people of Israel and a year of “general pardon” for everyone to return to their original state.  He therefore advocates the cancelling of debts and the possibility of new freedom of movement for God’s people.

 He puts forward the idea of a “healthy” population which works together to combat poverty and inequality to guarantee a dignified life for all, and an even distribution of the earth on which we all live, and from which we grow our food.  The idea is that the earth belongs to God and is only leant to man, therefore no one can claim exclusive possession, creating situations of inequality. “Everyone knows in their heart if they have too many things.  So why not leave them to those who have nothing?”

 He continues, “More or less, the numbers aren’t certain, but 80 percent of the world’s wealth is in the hands of fewer than 20 percent of the population,” urging those with wealth to regulate this inequality and give to those in need and to lend to those close to you generously, without calculation of what you may receive in return.

 The Pope warns against exploitation, reminding us of how many victims of various forms of exploitation end in committing suicide as they don’t know where else to turn, or they lose hope and calls on us to build a world without discrimination.

 The “Keep Lent” campaign will provide a daily Gospel reading and commentary from leading clergymen and lay catechists through social media throughout this penitential season.

 In his message sent over Whatsapp to Pompeii, Francis builds on the ideas lain out in his speech to Saint Peter’s Square, warning against the practicing of good works so that others may see them, “When we do something good, sometimes we are tempted to seek praise and to be rewarded: that’s human glory.  But it’s a false reward because it makes us focus on what others think of us.”

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