Pope Francis on Friday released a video message accompanying his prayer intention for April which is “For Those who have Responsibility in Economic matters”.

In his prayer intention for the month of April, Pope Francis said: “Let us raise our voices together, asking that economists may have the courage to reject an economy of exclusion and know how to open new paths”.

It has become the custom of Pope Francis to release a video message detailing his new prayer intention each month.

The full text of the message is below:

The economy cannot attempt only to increase profits by reducing the work force and thereby adding to the ranks of the excluded.

It must follow the path marked out by business leaders, politicians, thinkers, and leaders in society who place the human person in first place, and do everything possible to ensure that there are opportunities of dignified work.

Let us raise our voices together, asking that economists may have the courage to reject an economy of exclusion and know how to open new paths.

The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network of the Apostleship of Prayer developed "The Pope Video" initiative to assist in the worldwide dissemination of monthly intentions of the Holy Father in relation to the challenges facing humanity.