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“The earth belongs to everyone, not just to the rich; therefore, when you help the poor, you are simply giving back what is due, not bestowing a gift of your own.” It is this famous statement by Saint Ambrose, cited by H.E. Card. Gianfranco Ravasi in the preface, that encapsulates the profound meaning of The Hidden Thread. Five Principles for a More Humane World, the new essay by Francesco Occhetta and Davide Maggi, is available in bookstores starting June 16 from Rizzoli.

In an era marked by artificial intelligence, the crisis of democracies, and the weakening of social bonds, the book serves as a compass to navigate the challenges of the present. At the heart of the reflection are the five fundamental principles of the Church’s social doctrine—the dignity of the person, the common good, subsidiarity, solidarity, and the universal destination of goods—presented not as abstract concepts, but as concrete criteria for political, economic, and social action.

According to the authors, today more than ever—in an era of major technological and cultural transformations—there is a need to rebuild what is authentically human. Hence the idea of rediscovering a heritage of thought that continues to offer valuable tools for interpreting reality and promoting a more just and inclusive society.
The book weaves together theoretical reflection and historical accounts, recounting the stories of figures who embodied these principles in public life. From Václav Havel to Nelson Mandela, from Tina Anselmi to Luigi Sturzo, and on to Adriano Olivetti, their experiences show how values and responsibilities can translate into choices capable of having a concrete impact on history.

The “hidden thread” evoked by the title is precisely the bond that unites ideas, behaviors, and institutions. A thread that is often invisible, yet decisive in building more cohesive communities oriented toward the common good. For Occhetta and Maggi, universities, businesses, public administrations, the third sector, and ecclesial entities are called today to walk together, sharing responsibility and vision, to generate policies, reforms, and lifestyles that place the dignity of the person at the center.

Particular attention is given to the teachings of Pope Leo XIV and his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, which serves as one of the central focal points of the volume. “At the heart of Pope Leo XIV’s social thought lies a unified vision of humanity, which affirms that dignity is inseparable from freedom, while freedom finds its fulfillment in the common good. Only by maintaining this harmony is it possible to reopen a horizon of hope in which individuals and peoples can recognize themselves as protagonists of a shared history,” the authors write.

Francesco Occhetta, a Jesuit, journalist, and secretary general of the Vatican’s Fratelli tutti Foundation, and Davide Maggi, full professor of Economics and lecturer in the Social Doctrine of the Church, thus offer a contribution that transcends the boundaries of the ecclesial sphere to address anyone interested in understanding the challenges of the present and imagining new forms of civil coexistence.

The Hidden Thread serves as a call to personal and collective commitment, based on the belief that the great transformations of our time can only be addressed by placing the individual and their dignity at the center once again.

The book, written in Italian, is available on Amazon and IBS Libri.