ABSTRACT

The recent interest of secular law in the theme of the commons is the product of a different understanding of politics and its forms, capable not only of giving people a voice, but of building new subjectivities, and even of redistributing power. What emerges is an anthropocentric attention, according to which the ownership of goods is not crucial, but rather their purpose instrumental to the fulfillment of fundamental human rights. The Magisterium of the Catholic Church fits into this context, enriching it with topics of social doctrine that are always timely, because they are nourished by the natural law. La Pira’s insights into the role of cities as living entities in the integral development of people, and the more current contribution of the Church of Francis on these issues, are worthy of reflection.