Pope commends Italian Financial Police on their 250th anniversary

By Linda Bordoni

Reflecting on their motto, “Nella tradizione, il futuro” (In tradition, the future), Pope Francis has acknowledged how the Finance Guard is part of the history of Italy.

Since its inception, initially tasked with financial surveillance and border defence, the force has evolved to take on key roles in tax, financial and customs policing, while also carrying out sea and mountain rescue operations.

Addressing members of the Corps Saturday morning at the Vatican, the pope spoke of their rich heritage, particularly their assistance to Jewish refugees and those persecuted during the two world wars. He stressed that their broad scope of action responds directly to the problems of society, addressing threats of corruption and abuses of power, while offering a concrete cultural alternative to social ills.

Values ​​of fairness and justice

Inspired by the Finance GuardReferring to Jesus’ patron saint, St. Matthew, he noted the apostle’s transformation from a tax collector – a despised figure in Jesus’ day for serving imperial power and engaging in corrupt practices – to an evangelist who embraced the values ​​of fairness and justice.

Before his conversion, the Pope had declared out of the blue that Matthew “represented a utilitarian and unscrupulous mentality, devoted only to the ‘god of money’.”

“Even in our times, a similar logic affects social life, causing imbalances and marginalizations: from food waste – it’s a scandal: food waste is a scandal! – to the exclusion of citizens from the enjoyment of some of their rights,” he said.

Reflecting on how the state itself can become a victim of this system, “even states that, although they have significant resources, remain isolated financially or from the world market,” he asked: “How can we explain world hunger today, when there is so much waste in developed societies? It’s terrible.”

“And another thing: if the production of weapons were stopped for a year, world hunger would disappear. It is better to manufacture weapons than to solve hunger… The State itself can be a victim of this system: even those States which, as I said, have resources but remain isolated,” the Pope added.

Fairness in economic relations

The Pope thus called on those present to continue to promote fairness in economic relations and to ensure that all citizens, especially the most vulnerable, contribute to society according to the principles of equity.

He also encouraged law enforcement to combat abuses in the areas of taxation, labour and digital technology, and to maintain their essential role in protecting human dignity by tackling issues such as underpaid work and exploitation.

“Your work is of paramount importance for the maintenance of human dignity,” he said.

The Pope described their daily efforts as essential to the common good, strengthening the fight against corruption and advancing the cause of justice and legality.

The damage caused by corruption

The Holy Father reflected on the societal damage caused by corruption, comparing it to a “broken heart” that compromises the very pillars on which a nation is built, and said that while laws are necessary, they are insufficient.

“While justice is necessary, it is not enough to fill these voids that only charity, love, can heal,” he added.

The globalization of indifference

Pope Francis concluded by urging the Finance Guard to continue to resist the ““globalization of indifference”, which weakens social bonds and exacerbates violence and neglect, and he encouraged them to contribute to a society based on solidarity, respect and concern for the common good.