With power comes responsibility: Pope Francis

Pope Francis recently delivered a TED talk, where he urged technophiles and entrepreneurs to use their intellectual powers to bond human relations in society.

“How wonderful would it be if the growth of scientific and technological innovation would come along with more equality and social inclusion,” Francis said in a recorded video talk that was shown at the TED conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, reported the New York Times.

“How wonderful would it be, while we discover faraway planets, to rediscover the needs of the brothers and sisters orbiting around us.”

In his recorded speech, the pope urged the world leaders to show solidarity with the poor and powerless, particularly migrants.

“I, myself, was born in a family of migrants,” Francis said. “My father, my grandparents, like many other Italians, left for Argentina and met the fate of those who are left with nothing. I could have very well ended up among today’s discarded people. And that’s why I always ask myself, deep in my heart, ‘Why them and not me?’”

TED is a media company that broadcasts lectures by notable people from the fields of technology, entertainment and design and organizes conferences built around those lectures.

In his 18-minute talk, Pope Francis urged those having influence and power to be more humble and responsible.

“Please allow me to say it loud and clear: The more powerful you are, the more your actions will have an impact on people, the more you are called to be humble,” he said. “If you don’t, your power will ruin you, and you will ruin others.”

Francis became the first pope to deliver a TED talk. Serena Williams and the entrepreneur Elon Musk will also be addressing at this week’s TED conference.