Vatican launches initiative jointly named after Pope Francis, Prof Yunus

Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, and Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus have jointly launched a "Pope Francis Yunus 3Zero Club" in Rome in an effort to usher in a transformative and inclusive future for humanity.

The "3Zero Club" stands as a beacon of hope for the youth in Rome's marginalised communities, providing a platform to develop innovative ideas and create concrete and sustainable solutions.

Conveying his "deepest respects and gratitude," to Pope Francis, Prof Yunus urged all "to embark on this transformative journey together, inspiring the next generation to build a civilisation that honours the dignity of every individual and preserves the sanctity of our planet."

According to the latest counts, there are at least 4,600 Three Zero clubs across the globe, all inspired by Prof Yunus's vision for a new civilisation. Many of the clubs are set up in universities, according to the chief adviser's press wing.

In a letter to the Vicar General of Rome, Cardinal Baldo Reina, Prof Yunus said he was "deeply honoured" by the gesture.

He extended his "heartfelt congratulations" to Cardinal Reina on the occasion.

"This remarkable initiative embodies the shared vision of Pope Francis and my own aspirations for a transformative and inclusive future," the 2006 Nobel Peace laureate said on Saturday.

"This initiative not only aims to achieve zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions but also aspires to foster the emergence of a new civilisation—one grounded in compassion, equity, and sustainability," the chief adviser wrote.

"A civilisation where not only should no one be left behind, but where each person can also be the protagonist of their destiny, proud to belong to one human family, as the Holy Father has emphasised in recent years," he said.

"In his encyclical Fratelli tutti, he writes, "Let us dream, then, as a single human family, as fellow travellers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth, which is our common home, each of us bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all," he added.

"Inspired by Pope Francis's unwavering commitment to social justice and my belief in the power of social business, the 3Zero Club encourages young minds to envision and implement projects that drive meaningful change," the chief adviser said.

"By nurturing their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, we empower these young leaders to become architects of a more just and harmonious society," he said.