This morning the Holy Father received in a private audience 400 INPS employees, representing all officials both in the center and in the area. After the news that in recent days has kept the whole country apprehensive, this occasion, in the atmosphere of the Easter celebrations, takes on an even higher and stronger meaning.
Even without forgetting the secular state, the hearing with Papa Francesco – within the framework of the 125th anniversary of the INPS – had the aim of reaffirming the sense of mission and the raison d'être of the Institute, as the Pontiff said in a previous meeting (2015): "Never forget the man ”.
The benefits and services that INPS provides every day are not just statistics but the recognition of stories and rights.
As the president said Pasquale Tridico"We feel like a great responsibility to be - in fact - the channel of access to services that accompany millions of people in every stage of life 'from the womb to the heirs', but also in emergencies: workers, pensioners, companies, families, students, the disabled, the unemployed. Over 42 million users, whose needs and requirements must be listened to and whose future must be protected".
The Holy Father welcomed the Institute's employees stating that "Italy has 3 great treasures: the Oratories, the Voluntary Service and precisely Institutions such as the INPS".
Precisely the awareness of this commitment, and of the fact that "Social security is intimately linked to the Generational Pact, also in light of the serious problem of the demographic winter that threatens Italy” led Pope Francis to launch three heartfelt appeals: “No illegal work! No to the abuse of precarious work! Yes to decent work".
Taking his leave, the Pontiff asked those present to remember him in their prayers.
Even the general manager Vincent Caridi wanted to comment on this important day "We cannot but feel the vibrant message of Pope Francis, together with religious and moral leader of global caliber; even more so when the social sphere and closeness to the least is (in continuity with the great pontificates that have faced the challenge of Modernity) the cornerstone of this message of his. The tree of the welfare state is nourished by many cultural roots, certainly among these the 'Social Doctrine of the Church'. An invitation from him, a spur that gives strength to all the employees of the Institute - believers and non-believers - who are called to renew the spirit of service with which they carry out their daily commitment".