Pope Francis has called factory closures and jobs cuts a "very serious sin" in comments in support of staff at the Italian branch of Sky television.
"I spare a special thought to the staff of Sky Italia and I hope that a rapid solution is found that respects the rights of everyone, especially families," Francis said Wednesday in St Peter's Square, Rome, according to the AFP.
"Work gives us dignity and lawmakers, the representatives of the people, have a duty to do everything so that every man and woman can hold their heads high and look others in the eye, with dignity," he said.
"Anyone who, through economic manoeuvring or by negotiating deals that are not clear, closes factories or companies and takes people's jobs away is committing a very serious sin."
The Pope has often criticized unbridled capitalism and spoken out in defense of the poor.
In one of his first papal communications he denounced growing inequality and the "idolatory of money." Last year he described the global economy as "structurally perverse."
Uncommon Knowledge
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