The Holy Father praised the honesty of the people who pay their taxes and condemned tax evasion and the informal economy
Pope Francis today encouraged people who are not usually liked – tax officials – by telling them that while they would not win a contest for popularity, they are vital to the functioning of a just society, Reuters reported.
“Your work seems ungrateful (…),” He told a delegation from the Italian Revenue Agency, acknowledging that tax collection is often seen as “messing with someone else’s pockets.” But everyone must pay their fair share, especially the rich, so that the weakest members of society are not “crushed by the strongest,” the Holy Father.
“In fact, collecting taxes is a sign of legality and justice,” he said. The Holy Father praised the honesty of the people who pay their taxes and condemned tax evasion and the informal economy. Italy’s tax evasion losses are estimated at more than 100 billion euros a year, according to statistics. Italy’s gray economy, which operates without contracts, social security contributions or taxes, is estimated at around € 200 billion a year, or about 11 percent of GDP.
Francis also told the tax authorities that although they may not be showered with love on earth, they have a patron saint in heaven and reminded them that St. Matthew was a tax collector in Roman times before deciding to become a follower of Jesus.
