Increasingly, complexity is taking over many walks of life, be they social, political or economic. It is as if to make a point one has to be as complex as can be. This is causing concern and leading to studies and discussions about how to end the trend. A common position is that complexity is best attacked by simplicity.

To be simple is not to be simplistic, but to communicate directly in concepts and words understandable by all.

If those concerned with complexity need a perfect example on how to attack it with simplicity, they need look not look beyond Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, written by him and published earlier in the week.

The exhortation is a manifesto for change through social justice, analysing in direct style the ills that beset so many of our societies, not least in the developed, democratic world.

The Pope followed up the style and context he has set whenever he spoke in public since he assumed office, but only more so. He criticised the global economic system, attacking what he called “the idolatry of money”.

He urged politicians to attack the structural causes of inequality and strive to provide work, healthcare and education to all citizens.

The Pope urged rich people to share their wealth, urging them to say “though shalt not” to an economy of exclusion and inequality.

“Such an economy kills,” Francis said bluntly.

He brought simple examples to bear, asking how it could be that it is not newsworthy when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market sheds a few points.

Focusing on economic inequa-lity, the Pope, echoing the words of economists with a social conscience, such as Beveridge when he warned that misery breeds hate, called for an overhaul of the financial system, warning that unequal distribution of wealth inevitably leads to violence.

Recognising that socio-economic problems require political action, Pope Francis begged the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the poor, condemning unfettered capitalism as the new tyranny. He followed up his historical exhortation, his ringing manifesto for equality with further exhortations within a day.

The Pope called for an overhaul of the financial system, warning that unequal distribution of wealth inevitably leads to violence

Francis took on the issue of high youth unemployment in his first interview aired exclusively in his home country of Argentina, warning that today’s “throwaway culture” had discarded a generation of young Europeans.

The interview was aired on television. The pontiff used the interview aired on the TN TV channel to link high European unemployment to its twin problem of neglecting older people who are past their earning prime.

Turning on the pressure on capitalism and worldly goods, he said that today we are living in unjust international system in which “King Money” is at the centre.

“It’s a throwaway culture that discards young people as well as its older people. In some European countries, there is youth unemployment of 40 per cent and higher,” he added.

“A whole generation of young people does not have the dignity that is brought by work.” Nearly six million people under the age of 25 are without work in the EU, with jobless rates among the young at close to 60 per cent in Spain and Greece.

He followed up with this beautiful synthesis: “A people that cares neither for its youth nor for its older people has no future,” the Pope said.

“Young people take society into the future, while the older generation gives society its memory, its wisdom.”

Pope Francis did not restrict himself to socio-economic affairs, the threat of free markets and such like. As he has already done several times, he addressed the Church directly.

He said renewal could not be put off. The Vatican and its entrenched hierarchy also need to hear the call of pastoral conversion. “I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out in the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinking to its own security,” the Pope wrote in his exhortation.

Telling words, all of which should make Catholics thankful that they are being led by such a man. And yet, not everyone will be happy. The Pope’s attack on liberalism will attract resentment from within the Church itself. It will be suggested that he is populist. Snide efforts will be made to undermine him.

Catholics should pray to their Maker to give Pope Francis strength and health to fulfill his mission of repositioning the Church to restore it to what its founder wanted it to be.