A shared language for a shared journey:

presenting the Mission, Vision, Values and Culture of The Economy of Francesco

The Economy of Francesco has grown organically since Pope Francis first invited young economists, researchers, entrepreneurs and changemakers to Assisi in 2019. Two milestones have particularly shaped this journey: the long-awaited meeting with Pope Francis in Assisi in 2022, marked by the signing of the Economy of Francesco Pact, and the establishment of the The Economy of Francesco Foundation at the end of 2024.

As the movement has grown, so too has the need to explain more clearly what The Economy of Francesco is, what it stands for and what it seeks to contribute to the world. Members across the globe are constantly invited to present EoF in universities, institutions, businesses, dioceses and local communities. While this diversity is one of EoF’s greatest strengths, it also highlights the need for a shared language capable of expressing who we are as The Economy of Francesco.

For this reason, during the first meetings of the Foundation’s governing bodies at the end of 2024, members identified the clarification of EoF’s Mission, Vision, Values and Culture as a strategic priority. This commitment was reflected in the Foundation’s Strategic Plan 2025–2027 through two of its eight priorities, among them:

• Consolidating the core values, culture and governance of The Economy of Francesco.
• Fostering communication that reflects EoF’s values, engages the community and effectively shares its projects and initiatives.

A collaborative process

To respond to this priority, the Foundation established in 2025 a Working Group on the Core Values and Culture of The Economy of Francesco.

Its mission was to reflect on the experience accumulated during the first five years of the movement and to identify the essential elements that define EoF’s identity: its mission, vision, values, key reference documents and the experiences that have emerged across its Villages, Hubs and global community. The ultimate goal was to develop shared reference materials that could support members around the world in presenting The Economy of Francesco in a coherent and accessible way.

The Working Group brought together members of the Board of Directors, the Scientific Committee, the Foundation’s Executive Team — particularly from the Education & Culture and Community & Engagement areas — as well as representatives of the Youth Supporting Members within the Assembly and a representative of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The Working Group included Adriana Gómez-Chico (Mexico), Alan Faria Andrade (Brazil), Carlos Figueira (Portugal), Chiara Subrizi (Italy), Dolores Sánchez Galera (Spain), Eveling Sánchez (Venezuela), Gherardo Girardi (United Kingdom), Henrique Sengès C. Marques (Brazil), Marcia King (Peru), Rita Sacramento Monteiro (Portugal), Valentina Alarcón (Chile) and Vincent Chee (Singapore).

A living document

Drawing on the lived experience of the EoF community, this document seeks to articulate the mission, vision and values that have gradually emerged through the movement’s journey and in which its members can genuinely recognise themselves.

It reflects the richness and diversity of The Economy of Francesco, incorporating the experiences of local Hubs and Villages and drawing inspiration from the teachings of Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV and the Magisterium of the Church, together with internal EoF documents, surveys and the 2023 community consultation.

Rather than offering a definitive definition of EoF, this document provides a shared reference framework to understand, communicate and further develop the identity and culture of The Economy of Francesco.

We hope it will inspire everyone who feels called by The Economy of Francesco, support reflection and action across the world, and serve as a resource for members, institutions and partners seeking to understand the movement more deeply.

Like the community itself, this is a living document — one that will continue to grow and evolve as our shared journey unfolds.

Discover The Economy of Francesco: Mission, Vision, Values and Culture (2026)