The Pope described usury as a destructive force that devastates lives, families, and entire societies extending his critique to global financial systems
Newsroom (20/10/2025, Gaudium Press) In a powerful address to Italy’s National Anti-Usury Council on Saturday, Pope Leo XIV condemned usury as a “grave sin” that “corrupts the human heart” and enslaves vulnerable populations, urging a renewed commitment to justice and mercy in the Jubilee Year.
Speaking with conviction, the pontiff described usury as a destructive force that devastates lives, families, and entire societies. “Usury is not merely an accounting issue,” he declared. “It is a grave sin that can destroy families, consume the mind and heart, and even lead people to despair or suicide.” He emphasized its disproportionate impact on the marginalized, including those grappling with gambling addiction or facing medical and financial crises.
Quoting the prophet Isaiah, Pope Leo XIV called for breaking “the chains of injustice” and setting “the oppressed free.” He decried the exploitation inherent in usury, which often masquerades as aid but “suffocates” those it claims to help. “How far from God is the attitude of those who crush people until they become slaves!” he exclaimed.
The Pope extended his critique to global financial systems, warning that usurious practices can “bring entire peoples to their knees.” Referencing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, he condemned mercantile practices that cause “hunger and death” and create “structures of sin” with far-reaching consequences. He posed a stark challenge: “Are the less fortunate not human beings? Do the weak not share our same dignity?”
Praising the Anti-Usury Council’s 30-year mission to support victims and promote ethical economics, Pope Leo XIV hailed its work as a “sign of hope” aligned with the Jubilee of Mercy. He invoked the Gospel story of Zacchaeus, noting that conversion is possible through Christ’s love. “When profit becomes our goal, others lose their face and become objects to exploit,” he said. “And in the end, we too lose ourselves and our souls.”
The Pope urged perseverance in the fight against usury, calling for unity and courage, supported by the Church and inspired by the Gospel. His message underscored a moral imperative: societies must reclaim their dignity or risk descending into “a pit of filth.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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