2nd July 2025
Mr. President,
The Holy See would like to express its gratitude to His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain and His Government for graciously hosting this momentous gathering in Seville. Thanks are also due to all those who have contributed to the convening of this International Conference, especially the Co-Chairs of the Preparatory Committee, Burundi and Portugal, and the co-facilitators of the intergovernmental negotiating process, Nepal, Norway, Mexico and Zambia.
This Conference provides an opportunity to reaffirm that development is not solely about indicators, instruments or institutions; it is, first and foremost, about people. Development should serve the well-being of all, especially the poor and those most in need, fostering justice, solidarity, and peace. It must not be at the service of economy, but have at its center and promote the God-given dignity of every human person.
Human dignity is respected when the International Community clearly pursues true integral development, encompassing the economic, social, environmental, spiritual and cultural progress of every person. Accordingly, financing for development should not focused solely on the economy, but rather take an integral approach that fosters the flourishing of every person, every family, every community and every nation, without exception.
Mr. President,
The Holy See considers that the current financial architecture does not totally reflect this integral vision. It is a result of a series of decisions and priorities which frequently fail to serve the common good, consistently leaving those in the most vulnerable situations struggling.
The human cost of such a system is evident in the millions of people who still do not have their most basic needs met, including access to clean water, adequate food, quality education and essential healthcare. In this regard, Pope Leo XIV affirms that “every effort should be made to overcome the global inequalities – between opulence and destitution – that are carving deep divides between continents, countries and even within individual societies”.[1]
Mr. President,
The Holy See considers unsustainable debt to be one of the biggest obstacles to meeting basic needs. Responsible lending and borrowing, can have an important role to play in development, if they are rooted in accountability, sustainability and, above all, the protection of human dignity.
However, the current debt architecture and the resulting debt burdens are stifling the development prospects of many developing countries. Excessive debt servicing obligations, even during times of crisis, prevent States from investing in healthcare, education, basic infrastructure, and climate resilience. Such investments are vital for the integral development of peoples and the long-term development of States.
If a country’s ability to cultivate the basic requirements for integral development is compromised by debt repayments, then the moral legitimacy of that debt must be called into question. The Holy See therefore reaffirms that debt relief is a moral imperative, not just a financial issue.
Furthermore, debt should not be repaid through unbearable sacrifices. In such cases, it is necessary to find ways to reduce, defer, or even cancel the debt.[2] During this Jubilee Year for the Catholic Church, the Holy See is calling on creditors to renew their commitment to providing comprehensive and timely debt relief, including cancellation, particularly to countries in special situations.
Moreover, the Holy See urges the international community to address the systemic gaps through a reform of the international financial mechanisms.
Mr. President,
The current development challenges require more than piecemeal responses; urgent and coherent action on a large scale is needed, including the commitments made in the Compromiso de Sevilla. Such action is impossible without a renewed and unwavering commitment to multilateralism, based on solidarity and pursuit of the common good. No single nation can address financing challenges alone.
It is only through cooperation and a shared sense of moral responsibility that financing for development can serve the dignity of all people. The Holy See is convinced that inclusive, principled and just multilateralism remains the most effective way to achieving integral human development. The time act is now, not as isolated entities, but as one human family.
Thank you.
[1] Pope Leo XIV, Address to the Members of the Diplomatic Corps, 16 May 2025.
[2] Pope John Paul II, Centesimus annus, 1991, 35.
