” “”Sometimes people complain of the slow pace at which a true democracy moves on, and yet it remains the best historical tool, provided it is well used, to responsibly decide one’s future in a way that is worthy of man”. This was said this morning by the Pope during the Audience with the participants in the study meeting about "Democracy, institutions and social justice “, promoted by Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontefice. According to Benedict XVI, two are the "critical points in the walk towards a more mature order of human cohabitation”: “Firstly, appropriate, credible, authoritative institutions are needed, not aimed at the mere governance of public power but able to promote complex levels of people’s involvement, respectful of the traditions of each country, and always taking care of protecting its identity”. Then, equally urgent is "a steadfast, long-lasting and shared effort to promote social justice. Democracy will be fully accomplished when every person and every people will be able to access the basic necessities through an arrangement of internal and international relations that ensures to everyone the possibility of partaking of it”. And here’s what the Pope considers the great challenge of lay Christians today: “Real social justice can only take place from the perspective of a genuine solidarity which will bind everyone to always live and work for the others and never against the others or to the detriment of others”. (to be continued)” “
