Pope Francis cautioned Catholic business leaders against the danger of corruption at a conference held at the Vatican on Nov. 17.
"Corruption is the worst social plague. It’s the lie of seeking personal gain of that of the group itself under the guise of a service to society," the pope told those attending the International Conference of Associations of Catholic Businesses, reported CNA.
Pope Francis said that corruption "is a fraud to democracy" which allows "terrible evils" to flourish such as drugs, prostitution, human trafficking, the sale of organs and arms trafficking. Above all, "corruption is to become a follower of the devil, the father of lies."
The pope said that money cannot be the focus of one’s life but instead should be used in a way that is to serve rather than govern.
"Money is only a technical instrument of intermediation, of comparison of values and rights, of the fulfillment of obligations and savings," he said.