Work is not merely a source of income: at the heart of human existence, it is a place where individuals develop, unleash their creativity, and contribute to the common good. This is the profound meaning of the message conveyed by the Jubilee audience held on Saturday, November 8, in St. Peter's Square, where, before some 45,000 pilgrims, the pope Leo XIV delivered a plea for the dignity of work. Drawing on the luminous figure of Blessed Isidore Bakanja and the legacy of John Paul II's encyclical Laborem exercens, the pope reminded us that work must remain a source of hope and humanity — and that this requires concrete choices from political leaders, institutions and each of us.
This article offers an in-depth reading of this audience: historical and theological context, meaning of Isidore Bakanja's testimony, contemporary social and economic implications, and concrete ways to make work a factor of dignity and common good.
Context and foundations — why this audience matters
A jubilant moment focused on the world of work
The Jubilee Audience of November 8th lies at the crossroads of several lines of meaning. First, it is part of a Church calendar attentive to social issues: the Catholic social tradition, from Rerum Novarum (Leo XIII) to Laborem exercens (John Paul II) and more recent teachings, places the question of work at the heart of moral and political reflection. Second, the fact that 45,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square reflects the collective concern—among the faithful and beyond—about the future of employment, job insecurity, youth, and the place of the individual in changing economies. Finally, the audience takes on a powerful symbolic significance because it combines doctrinal reflection, commemoration of the martyrs, and a call to social action.
Laborem exercens: a compass for thinking about work today
Leo XIV explicitly invoked Laborem exercens, the encyclical of John Paul II published in 1981, a pivotal text that develops a profoundly human vision of work. In it, John Paul II affirmed that work is not a mere commodity: it is a fundamental activity of the person that conditions their dignity and fulfillment. Laborem exercens, recalled by the pope current, offers several points of reference for contemporary reflection:
- the primacy of the person over things and over capital; ;
- the centrality of the right to decent work; ;
- the requirement for social and economic structures oriented towards the common good ;
- the need to anticipate the effects of technological transformations on employment. By recalling this text in the modern context—marked by automation, job insecurity, and growing inequality—the pope invites a reading that connects human dignity and public policy.
The testimony of Isidore Bakanja: hope, perseverance and dignity
A simple life, a powerful testimony
The figure of Blessed Isidore Bakanja (1885–1909) served as a focal point in the papal address. Born in what was then a colony and having become an apprentice mason and then a farm laborer, Isidore did not pursue formal education but encountered faith through Trappist monks. His conversion, baptism, and practice of faith shaped a life of service and fidelity. Humble employment, difficult conditions, moral and physical violence inflicted by an employer hostile to the Gospel: Isidore endured for his faith without giving up. His spiritual fortitude and his ability to maintain hope, even in adversity, make him a model for the world of work—especially for those who, even today, experience exploitation and a lack of rights.
A symbolic gesture for the Churches of Africa and the North-South encounter
THE pope He emphasized how the "young Churches"—particularly in Africa—offer a witness that challenges the "old Churches" of the North. Isidore, as a beatified Congolese layman, embodies a message of fidelity and courage that transcends the boundaries of time and geography. This dynamic reminds us that the dignity of work is a universal concern: in the countries of the Global South, the challenges are often marked by economic structures inherited from colonization, by forms of precariousness, and by a youth in search of opportunities. The witness of figures like Isidore stimulates a shift in perspective—especially in the Global North—toward a concrete commitment to the social justice.
Work, dignity and hope: contemporary challenges and possible solutions
Current suffering and challenges
Today, several factors make the calls of pope and the social teaching of the Church:
- the rise of precariousness (temporary jobs, digital platforms without social rights, informal work); ;
- the impact of new technologies (automation, artificial intelligence) which permanently transform jobs and qualifications; ;
- generational disparities: young people face more instability and obstacles in achieving their life goals; ;
- the persistence of gender inequalities and discrimination that limit access to decent work for many; ;
- Migration and international mobility raise the question of worker protection. migrants. These realities call for political, economic, cultural and spiritual responses, so that work does not become merely an economic adjustment variable but remains a vector of human fulfillment.
Priorities for preserving the dignity of work
Based on the principles recalled by the pope And through Christian social teaching, concrete priorities can be identified:
- guarantee access to stable and decent employment, through active employment policies, training adapted to economic changes and transition mechanisms for workers affected by automation; ;
- strengthen labor rights, including for new forms of employment (digital platforms, micro-entrepreneurs), in order to ensure social protection, contributions and union representation; ;
- promote an economy that puts people at the centre: support social enterprises, the solidarity economy, cooperatives and local economic initiatives that reconcile profit and the common good; ;
- invest in lifelong learning, especially for young people and the most vulnerable workers, in order to develop creativity and employability; ;
- fighting against discrimination (sex, origin, disability), so that work is a place of real inclusion; ;
- We must encourage family and work-life balance policies that allow everyone to fully live out their responsibilities and social commitments. These priorities are interdependent: dignity at work is built not only through job creation, but also through the quality of those jobs and the social protections that accompany them.
Roles and responsibilities: institutions, businesses, trade unions, civil society
Public institutions
Public authorities have a major responsibility: to create legal and economic frameworks that promote decent work, but also to ensure the effective implementation of rights. This involves:
- inclusive growth policies and targeted public investments (education, ecological transition, social infrastructure); ;
- support mechanisms for professional transitions (career change, unemployment, aid to SMEs); ;
- Strengthened social dialogue and control mechanisms against illegal work and exploitation are essential. Public authorities must also promote civic participation and provide spaces where major socio-economic policies can be negotiated.
Businesses and employers
The company plays a crucial role: it is the concrete place where the employment relationship is formed. Social doctrine encourages employers to think beyond immediate profit. In concrete terms:
- respect and promote workers' rights: decent wages, safe working conditions, reasonable working hours, right to training; ;
- adopt a governance that integrates social responsibility (authentic CSR) and that measures the human impact of its choices; ;
- encourage employee participation in company life (representative bodies, partial co-management, cooperative initiatives); ;
- Prioritize sustainable business models that invest in skills and quality of work life. When a company considers the worker as a subject and not as a tool, it contributes to dignity and the common good.
Trade unions, associations and civil society
Trade unions and associations play a vital role in defending rights and building a fair social dialogue. Their work consists of:
- to give a voice to workers, especially the most vulnerable; ;
- negotiate collective agreements and social guarantees; ;
- to propose local economic alternatives and support the transitions; ;
- Training and informing to strengthen collective awareness of rights. Civil society as a whole — NGOs, Christian movements and other engagement groups — contributes to a work culture that prioritizes solidarity.
Moral and spiritual salvation: work, vocation and meaning (h2)
Work and human vocation
One of the key messages from the audience is the rediscovery of the meaning of work. Work is not merely a means to an end; it contributes to one's personal vocation. From this perspective:
- To work is to co-create with others and with creation, to develop one's talents and to contribute to the common good; ;
- The professional space can be a field of evangelization through example and service, without proselytism but through the quality of human relationships; ;
- the dignity of work joins the human dignity In mutual recognition: work becomes a place where the value of others is acknowledged. Restoring meaning to work requires respectful management practices, human development training, and a culture that values professional ethics.
Hope and resilience: a lesson from Isidore Bakanja
Isidore Bakanja teaches perseverance in faith and the ability to bear witness to hope even in adversity. Applied to the world of work, this lesson implies:
- to cultivate professional relationships based on respect, solidarity and mutual support, especially in times of crisis; ;
- to offer support mechanisms to workers who are victims of exploitation or violence: legal aid, psychological support, social reconstruction; ;
- to foster a culture of dignity at work based on positive stories and inspiring figures. Hope does not negate the need for structural transformations, but it supports the daily commitment to achieving them.
Concrete proposals to translate the call into action
Political and institutional measures
- To establish a renewed labor law for new forms of employment, including social protection, minimum wages and collective rights.
- Develop vocational training pathways adapted to technological transitions, financed by a shared contribution between the State, businesses and social partners.
- Promote youth employment through hiring incentives, quality internships and recognized apprenticeships.
- Strengthen regulation against informal work and human trafficking, with enhanced international cooperation.
- Promote local economic policies that support SMEs, the social and solidarity economy, and initiatives for integration through economic activity.
Business and community initiatives
- Encourage ethical charters in companies covering working conditions, equal pay and continuing education.
- To create or support social and cooperative enterprises that place the person at the centre.
- Develop mentoring programs for young workers and professional integration pathways.
- To network stakeholders in the world of work (schools, employers, associations) to co-create appropriate local solutions.
- Promote "decent work" labels that assess both remuneration and well-being at work.
Culture and education at work
- Integrate training in work ethics, economic citizenship and social responsibility from secondary and vocational education onwards.
- To promote professions that are often undervalued in public discourse through campaigns and through salary and symbolic recognition.
- Encourage spaces for expression at work where employees can raise problems and make suggestions.
- To develop interdisciplinary research on the transformations of work, by bringing together economists, sociologists, theologians and actors in the field.
International dialogue: solidarity between North and South
Cooperation and shared responsibility
THE pope He emphasized the witness of the Churches of the South towards those of the North: this calls for a pedagogy of solidarity. Specifically:
- Rich countries have an international responsibility: to support development through fair economic partnerships, equitable trading conditions and technology transfer that promotes quality employment; ;
- combating international exploitation chains: multinational companies must guarantee social standards throughout their supply chains; ;
- Supporting the empowerment of local economies, prioritizing projects led by communities and workers themselves. International cooperation must aim for the emancipation of workers, not their dependence.
Migration as an issue of dignity in work
Human mobility profoundly impacts the issue of work: many migrate in search of a better life. The response cannot be solely focused on security; policies to protect workers are necessary. migrants, universal rights and integration pathways that allow for the recognition of qualifications and access to decent jobs.
Resistances and limitations: what to watch out for
Risks of manipulation and ideological bias
Turning words into action requires vigilance. Several risks are at stake:
- the instrumentalization of social discourse by partisan or economic logics that do not change the structures; ;
- the superficial "greening" or "ethics" when there is no actual change in practices; ;
- The reduction of the individual to a productive resource in a purely utilitarian discourse. Remaining vigilant against these abuses requires control mechanisms, independent audits, and an active civil society.
Practical difficulties in implementation
Changing economic structures takes time and resources: energy transitions, professional retraining, and public investments all have a cost. A lasting trade-off will be needed between short-term electoral gains and long-term social goals, while preserving intergenerational solidarity.
Testimonials and best practices
Inspiring examples
The implementation of the principles mentioned can already draw on existing initiatives: successful cooperatives, companies that fully integrate employees into the project, social integration NGOs, and effective local employment policies. These examples serve as replicable models, with adaptation to local contexts.
Stories of resilience
Individual stories—like that of Isidore Bakanja—humanize the issues. Many workers today share accounts of acts of solidarity among colleagues, training programs that have enabled them to grow, or collective efforts that have changed practices. These stories forge a culture of dignified work.
Conclusion: A few words to guide action
The papal message delivered at the Jubilee audience was both simple and demanding: work must be a source of hope, dignity, and the pursuit of the common good. For this to become a reality, individual efforts, collective decisions, and courageous public policies must be combined. The figure of Isidore Bakanja reminds us that hope is a powerful driving force, but that hope must be accompanied by concrete actions—laws, economic models, management practices, and shared cultures—that protect the individual and make work an instrument of fraternity.
Summary action points
- A plea for a renewed labor law that protects new forms of employment.
- Invest massively in training and support for professional transitions.
- Promote economic models that put people at the centre: cooperatives, social enterprises, the "decent work" label.
- Strengthening international solidarity and the responsibility of global value chains.
- To cultivate, in education and professional life, a culture of dignity, respect and hope.
These are long-term projects, but the call is clear: to make work a space where human creativity flourishes for the greater good. This is a shared responsibility—of governments, employers, unions, and every citizen—and a moral imperative: to preserve the human dignity at the heart of productive activity.
