Pope: Progress is truly human if it makes the world better for everyone

Pope Francis addressed the value of scientific, social, and technical progress during a teaching on the Second Vatican Council document Gaudium et Spes. He stated that progress is truly human when it improves the world for everyone.

The Pope noted that humans act as agents of progress by using freedom and intelligence to increase knowledge and advance society. He cited the 1969 moon landing as an example of human achievement and observed that successive generations have seen improved living conditions through enterprise.

The Pope also addressed the view held by some thinkers that scientific and technical advancement weakens the relationship between humans and God. He noted that some modern perspectives present God and humanity as rivals, a prejudice he attributed to parts of Western culture that have lost their connection to Christian Revelation.