Pope Francis Speaks Out For Workers

Soter Agbaw-Ebai

Pope Francis has put his voice in support of workers threatened by job cuts. A German firm with a factory in Terni, Italy wants to cut 550 jobs but Pope Francis has appealed to the firm on behalf of the steelworkers and their families. At his weekly audience the Holy Father told Thyssenkrupp, "you don't play with employment", urging the company to put people before profit. Francis added that "I express my deep concern for the grave situation that many families are facing in Terni because of the plans of Thyssenkrup". The Holy Father has frequently voiced concern about unemployment, especially among young people, and has called on business and political leaders to do more to maintain jobs.