The World Economic Forum, commonly referred to as the Davos annual meeting, kicked off yesterday in Switzerland.

Anybody who is somebody is at this international meeting. This edition of the annual meeting is being attended by 40 heads of State and Government and more than 2,500 other participants from around 100 countries, 1,500 of whom are business leaders from the thousand companies that make up the Forum, as well as representatives of international organisations, civil society, the media, education and arts.

The coverage on the internet is extensive. I particularly like the coverage being given on the website of the Financial Times.

The theme of this year's gathering is “The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business." But can the world’s political and business leaders, on their own, radically reshape the world making it a place more worthy of humans and more respectful for everyone’s basic dignity?

Pope Francis sent his thoughts to the world political and economic leaders.

In line with his recent document, The Joy of the Gospel – he states his opinion that business is, in fact, “a vocation, and a noble vocation, provided that those engaged in it see themselves challenged by a greater meaning in life. Such men and women are able to serve more effectively the common good and to make the goods of this world more accessible to all.”

This, for Pope Francis is not enough. He urged world leaders to promote an inclusive approach which takes into consideration the dignity of every human person and the common good.

Why did the Pope feel the need to emphasise an inclusive approach and what does he mean by it?

Pope Francis explained his way of reasoning after praising the steps being taken to improve people’s welfare in areas such as health care, education and communications and recognising “the fundamental role that modern business activity has had in bringing about these changes, by stimulating and developing the immense resources of human intelligence.”

The Pope said that although these positive moves have reduced poverty for a great number of people they also had a negative effect as they often have led to a widespread social exclusion. “Indeed, the majority of the men and women of our time still continue to experience daily insecurity, often with dramatic consequences.”

The head of the Catholic Church expressed his concern that not enough is being done to help those who are most frail, weak and vulnerable.

“It is intolerable that thousands of people continue to die every day from hunger, even though substantial quantities of food are available, and often simply wasted. Likewise, we cannot but be moved by the many refugees seeking minimally dignified living conditions, who not only fail to find hospitality, but often, tragically, perish in moving from place to place.”

The Pope then explained what he means by an inclusive approach that will enhance human dignity more than anything else. Economic growth alone is not enough.

“The growth of equality demands something more than economic growth, even though it presupposes it. It demands first of all 'a transcendent vision of the person' (Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 11), because 'without the perspective of eternal life, human progress in this world is denied breathing-space' (ibid.). It also calls for decisions, mechanisms and processes directed to a better distribution of wealth, the creation of sources of employment and an integral promotion of the poor which goes beyond a simple welfare mentality.”

According to the Pope the reshaping of the world which the leaders at Davos state to be their aim can only happen if there is “an openness to the transcendent.”

In line with this opening “a new political and business mentality can take shape, one capable of guiding all economic and financial activity within the horizon of an ethical approach which is truly humane. The international business community can count on many men and women of great personal honesty and integrity, whose work is inspired and guided by high ideals of fairness, generosity and concern for the authentic development of the human family.”

One hopes that this message will find fertile ground in Davos.