“Universal aspiration to fraternity” – Pope Francis

This desire for love as brothers and sisters is an essential aspect of being human. Pope Francis in Fratelli Tutti refers to it as part of the “universal aspiration to fraternity” which has been fragmented by the “attempts to eliminate or ignore others…” which was exposed by the present pandemic as useless in promoting worldwide concern and collaboration (n.8 ).

When the Holy Father declares that every man or woman in all races and cultures of the world has a desire and capacity to love the other person as a brother and sister, it reminds us that we all possess this dignity and therefore demand from us to fulfill it as an important and serious obligation.

On this point let us again listen to the appeal of the Holy Father: “It is my desire that, in this our time, by acknowledging the dignity of each human person, we can contribute to the rebirth of a universal aspiration to fraternity”.

This is a wise statement. In practice how can this be done?

I realize that a person has dignity when everything in her or him, whether external or internal, is Genuine – therefore Real; Good – therefore Useful; and Attractive – therefore Beautiful. Awareness of this dignity demands from me recognition, appreciation, respect, and finally, Love and Friendship.

In Christian spirituality the Reality, Goodness and Beauty are known as Transcendentals because they are human reflections of God who is Reality, Goodness and Reality Itself Transcending everything.