FRATELLI TUTTI: POPE FRANCIS' NEW ENCYCLICAL ON FRATERNITY AND SOCIAL FRIENDSHIP

Pope Francis signed his third encyclical "Fratelli tutti" on 3 October, 2020 in Assisi, Italy, before the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi, from whom he took the inspiration. The encyclical was published on 4 October, the Saint's feast day.
 

Addressed to the entire human family, this encyclical on fraternity and social friendship is an invitation to see the world in a broader perspective as a single human family without borders. The encyclical, especially relevant in today’s world, challenges the entire human family to overcome the temptations of fragmentation, brokenness and polarization and to have the courage to encounter each other as brothers and sisters. 
 

The ‘Social Encyclical’ as it is called by Pope Francis elaborates both on the nature of the challenges confronting modern society and the practical means to overcome them to create a more just, humane and peaceful world. It treats the universal dimension of the doctrine of fraternal love, one that transcends the barriers of geography and distance. 
 

The Pope also reminds the themes put forward in the document on human fraternity signed by the Pope and Grand Imam in February 2019 during the UAE Papal Visit.
 

“Fratelli tutti” is an expression of St. Francis of Assisi by which 'the great saint of fraternal love' addressed his brothers and sisters and proposed to them a way of life marked by the flavour of the Gospel. 

A QUICK OVERVIEW

The encyclical letter consists of a general introduction and eight chapters. Here is a preview into the salient points of each chapter.
 

CHAPTER 1: DARK CLOUDS OVER A CLOSED WORLD
The first chapter talks about the dark clouds encircling the world. The clouds of despair, discouragement, polarization, inequality etc. hinders the development of universal fraternity. Pope Francis insists that we must embrace the culture of encounter, travelling on the road of closeness. Goodness, together with love, justice and solidarity, has to be realized each and every day.
 

CHAPTER 2: A STRANGER ON THE ROAD
We are all called to be the Good Samaritan to a ‘stranger on the road’, overcoming historical prejudices, cultural barriers, and petty interests. Love builds bridges and enables us to create one great family.
 

CHAPTER 3: ENVISAGING AND ENGENDERING AN OPEN WORLD
God is universal love, and as long as we are part of that love and share in it, we are called to universal fraternity, which is openness to all. There are no “others,” no “them”; there is only “us.” Life exists where there is bonding, communion, and fraternity. Every human being is valuable and has the right to live with dignity. Pope Francis calls us to do what is good for ourselves and for the whole human family and thus to advance together towards an authentic and integral growth.
 

CHAPTER 4: A HEART OPEN TO THE WHOLE WORLD
The conviction that all human beings are brothers and sisters forces us to see things in a new light and to develop new responses. Every healthy culture is open and welcoming by its nature. We must have an open heart to think as part of the larger human family and welcome the whole world.

CHAPTER 5: A BETTER KIND OF POLITICS
Pope Francis calls us to a social and political order whose soul is social charity. Politics must also make room for a tender love of others, a love that draws near and becomes real.

“Charity, according to the teaching of Jesus, is the synthesis of the entire law.” (cf. Mt 22:36-40)

CHAPTER 6: DIALOGUE AND FRIENDSHIP IN SOCIETY
Authentic social dialogue involves the ability to respect the point of view and dignity of others. Dialogue is respectful, strives for consensus, and seeks the truth. In a pluralistic society, it integrates differences, thus guaranteeing a genuine and lasting peace. Each of us can learn something from others, no one is useless, and no one is expendable.

CHAPTER 7: PATHS OF RENEWED ENCOUNTER
On the path towards peace, the processes of renewed encounter are very necessary. We have to face the reality of the injuries of past mis-encounters, and so we have to establish and walk the paths of re-encounter.We need to heal the wounds, which requires seeking and offering forgiveness.

CHAPTER 8: RELIGIONS AT THE SERVICE OF FRATERNITY IN OUR WORLD
In order to live in peace with one another, all human beings irrespective of religious belief need the awareness that they are all children of God. Members of different religions are all called to contribute significantly to build fraternity. Religious leaders are called to be true “people of dialogue” to cooperate in peace as authentic mediators.