Investing in common good reaps greater benefits, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The best investments to make are the ones that benefit other people, Pope Francis said.

"When we put wealth at the service of the dignity of people, we cannot but profit, always. Indeed, promoting the common good improves the bonds of the society in which we participate," he said during an audience at the Vatican Jan. 18, with a Catholic foundation funding different projects in Verona, Italy.

The investments that give the highest monetary returns, he said, "are weapons factories: investing to kill. They are crazy! This is not for the benefit of the people." When people invest in ways that harm or do not help others, then "money ages and burdens the heart, making it callous and deaf to the voice of the poor."

He praised the group's "initiatives of solidarity, support for volunteer work and cultural and professional formation" as well as their support of families and young people in collaboration with the diocese.

"The resourcefulness and generosity of your work is consistent with the name of the foundation you represent: Catholic," he said.

"Let us not forget that money renders the most when it is invested for the benefit of our neighbor. This is important," he said.

"Keep going, doing good always and to everyone," he said, "because this is sowing the future, it is sowing happiness, it is sowing peace."

The pope also met Jan. 18 with members of a foundation that helps support current and former members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard and their families.

"Your valuable effort must always be inspired by a spirit of faith and charity because helping the Pontifical Swiss Guard means supporting the successor of Peter in his ministry in the universal church," he told the group.

"I too am personally very grateful for the faithful service of the guards," who protect the pope and patiently help welcome the many visitors from all over the world who wish to meet him, he said.

"The cooperation between your foundation and the Pontifical Swiss Guard is exemplary," he said, because it shows how important it is to collaborate. "We must all help each other and support each other, and this applies to you, to individual communities, but also to the church as a whole."