In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you.

Your Eminence,
Dear friends,

I am pleased to greet all of you, labor leaders and guests from Chicago, who have come to Rome for the celebration of the Jubilee Year. This delegation represents thousands of workers, whose skills enhance the common good and help to create a society where all can flourish. It is important work and I commend all you for your contributions in this regard.   

In a particular way, I would like to express my gratitude for your collaboration with the Church. Cardinal Cupich has informed me about your many contributions, including your support of seminarians through hosting, together with civil and business leaders, the annual Rerum Novarum Award banquet.

Moreover, it is encouraging to hear of the strides that you have made in broadening the participation and inclusion of minorities in the labor movement through apprenticeships and training. At the same time, your commitment to the protection of the environment by teaching the skills needed for the development of renewable energies is not only commendable but also timely, given the urgency of the need to care for our common home.

Above all, please know of my appreciation for your welcome of immigrants and refugees, especially your support of food pantries and shelters. While recognizing that appropriate policies are necessary to keep communities safe, I encourage you to continue to advocate for society to respect the human dignity of the most vulnerable. By doing so, you are putting into practice the call of my beloved predecessor, Pope Francis, who urged every union to be re-born each day at the peripheries (cf. Address to Delegates from the Italian Confederation of Workers’ Unions, 28 June 2017).

During this week of pilgrimage, in addition to passing through the Holy Doors and participating in other spiritual exercises, you are also spending time studying important issues related to the rights and obligations of workers. I pray that this time may be fruitful for both your minds and hearts. In assuring you of a remembrance in my prayers, I thank you once again for your visit.  May God bless you!