Pope's message for Italian postal workers: Put people before profits

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The care of persons should be at the centre of business models, the Pope told members of the Italian postal service at an audience on Saturday.
Pope Francis called on members of the Italian postal service — Poste Italiane — to put people, rather than profits, at the centre of their business model.

Open to renewal

Poste Italiane has been “inseparably linked to the life and history of Italy,” in its modern form as a single, united nation, the Pope said during the audience on Saturday. Over the course of time, he continued, the Italian postal service has always recognized the need for continual renewal, especially, in recent years, with the rapid advances of technology, which is continually developing, and is now almost “omnipresent,” and is often invasive. Poste Italiane, he said, “is committed to facing these epochal challenges” by a prudent strategy of investment in new technologies and innovation, while at the same time having a prudent concern for the environment of “our common home.”

Putting persons before profits

But “what is most important in the work of restructuring and renewal,” Pope Francis said, “is to have implemented a business strategy faithful to your original calling, to be at the service of the citizens.” Contrary to a “logic of the marketplace,” the Holy Father called on postal workers to put the care of persons, rather than profits, at the centre of their business model. In particular, he asked them always “to maintain an attitude of availability and good will” in dealing with the public – while reminding clients of the need to be patient and courteous in return. It is difficult, he said, but also very important, in our daily interactions, “to preserve an attitude of listening, openness, and respect.”

This care of persons, he concluded, which Poste Italiane has always striven to keep as a guiding principle, is shown not only in relations with its customers, but also with regard to its employees. He lamented how, too often, the needs of families are ignored by businesses, while praising Poste Italiane for caring for its workers and their families.