On 7 October, I had the privilege and opportunity to be invited by Fr. Dushan Croos SJ, lead Chaplain at the Manchester Universities’ Catholic Chaplaincy, to give a talk as part of their Tuesday Talks series, on the Economy of Francesco to the young people, students, and academics who form part of the Catholic community connected to the universities in Manchester.

In the talk, I traced the philosophical and theological roots of the Economy of Francesco back to Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, which connects our Christian faith to the care of Our Common Home and critiques the ecological and moral crises driven by our economic system; one that promotes consumerism and exploitation. In contrast, the concept of integral ecology is introduced, recognising the interconnectedness of our economic, social, and environmental systems.

I charted the emergence of the Economy of Francesco, from Pope Francis’s 2019 invitation to young economists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, through what could have been a singular ‘moment’ in 2020 into a global ‘movement’. Through online gatherings in 2020 and 2021 and the in-person event in 2022, young people from around the world set up local hubs; connected via twelve thematic villages; and activities now being coordinated through a dedicated Foundation.

The Manchester community engaged and imagined what an economy of the Gospel might look like locally, coming up with ideas ranging from supporting local businesses to circular economy models; ethical supply chains; building deeper connection with nature; and rethinking incentives through the lens of behavioural economics.

I concluded the talk with a forward look to the upcoming Restarting the Economy gathering, scheduled for November at Castel Gandolfo during the Church’s Jubilee year; a time for liberation, restoration, and rest. It’s an opportunity for young economists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, whether in Castel Gandolfo, Manchester, or right across the UK, to create an economy of life that is humane, just, and leaves nobody behind.

Here is the full recording of my talk: