Pope Francis changes the perspective and calls for a change of mentality to make the world more inclusive and allow people with disabilities to be full participants in social life.

He does this in the course of thecourt hearing with the representatives of the first G7 Inclusion and Disability, held under the Italian presidency and concluded yesterday in Umbria, after three days of discussion and debate. At the end of the summit, “The Solfagnano Charter” was signed, the result of work on “fundamental themes - explains the Pope - such as inclusion, accessibility, independent living and the valorization of people”. Themes that are connected to the vision that the Church has of human dignity.

"In fact, every person is an integral part of the universal family and no one should be a victim of the throwaway culture, no one. This culture generates prejudice and causes harm to society."

Speaking about the inclusion of people with disabilities, a “priority” for all countries, the Pope admits that in some nations there is difficulty in this respect in protecting life from childhood to old age. “It hurts me,” he says, “when we live with that throwaway culture with the elderly. The elderly are wisdom and they are discarded as if they were ugly shoes.”

"There is no true human development without the contribution of the most vulnerable. In this sense, universal accessibility becomes a great goal to pursue, so that every physical, social, cultural and religious barrier is removed, allowing everyone to make the most of their talents and contribute to the common good."