Pope Francis' earthquake - Evangelii Gaudium

Barely a year into his appointment, Pope Francis has turned heads for his approach, his closeness and for his enthusiasm and excitement which he has re-infused in the Catholic Church.

Testament to the Pope's excitement is his first apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium or "The Joy of the Gospel", which covers a wide array of issues, from the economy to evangelisation, to social dialogue and world peace.

The Pope also refers to the challenges the Catholic Church and the society are facing, namely globalisation, indifference and intolerance.

On his qualms about economic inequality, Pope Francis dubbed the economy as a "killing one" due to its consequential social exclusion and inequalities.

"Due to the fact that everything rests on the economy and on the mentality of the survival of the fittest, numerous people are finding themselves unemployed, without any opportunities and alone."

"The economy should safeguard the rights of the workers. Currently, we are faced with a 'killing economy' whose news gives precedence to a market falling by two points rather than the death of a homeless person."

In light of Pope Francis calling for the power to be decentralised from Rome, this stand was also voiced during his apostolic exhortation as he said that the Vatican should not have the final say on issues pertaining to certain territories.

"Rather than proving helpful, excessive centralisation is hindering the Church's life and its missionary work," he said.

Consequently, the Pope in his first apostolic exhortation, sought to promote the decentralisation of power after he argued that the papacy should not be expected to offer a definitive or complete word on every issue that affects the Church.

In July, on homosexuality, the Pope has moved away from the usual cautious approach adopted by the Vatican clergy and insisted that homosexuals have a right to be integrated within society and he has no right to judge them. On the other hand, in Evangelii Gaudium he highlighted the need to promote the growth of the responsibility of the laity and called for the young to exercise greater leadership.

Read more in today's edition of Illum.