Pope presents encyclical in St. Peter's square
In the document, signed in Assisi on Saturday (October 3), Pope Francis wrote that the COVID-19 pandemic was the latest crisis to prove that market forces alone and "trickle-down" economic policies had failed to produce the social benefits their proponents claim.
In an encyclical on the theme of human fraternity, Francis also said private property cannot be considered an absolute right in all cases where some lived extravagantly while others had nothing.
Called "Fratelli Tutti" (Brothers All), the encyclical's title prompted criticism for not using inclusive language after it was announced last month.
Encyclicals are the most authoritative form of papal writing but they are not regarded as infallible.
