Pope Francis pleaded with a group of billionaires to take seriously their personal obligation to share their resources and make a real commitment to doing business in a way that helps other people realize their potential, too.
The global economic system, he said on Dec. 3, needs a "fundamental renewal" that "does not have to do simply with market economics, figures to be balanced, the development of raw materials and improvements made to infrastructure."
"What we are speaking about is the common good of humanity, of the right of each person to share in the resources of this world and to have the same opportunities to realize his or her potential, a potential that is ultimately based on the dignity of the children of God, created in his image and likeness," the pope told CEOs and other leaders taking part in the Fortune-Time Global Forum.
CNS reported that business leaders like Virgin's Richard Branson, LRN's Dov Seidman, Siemens' Joe Kaeser and IBM's Ginni Rometty met in Rome for two days to respond to what they described as Pope Francis' "passionate pleas for broader prosperity and lasting ways to lift the poor."