Terna as "an operator of the common good": a reminder from Pope Francis

"Energy democracy", "survival of the planet", "clean energy", "inclusivity": these words ring as true now as when Pope Francis addressed them to a delegation from Terna in an audience on 31 August 2024, held in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace. For the Pontiff, who dedicated many of his public statements — including his encyclical Laudato si' — to the "common home", the fate of the Earth and concern for nature, justice for the poor and engagement with society were inseparable concepts throughout his papacy. These topics also featured prominently during his speech to 210 professionals representing the Italian national transmission grid operator, during which the Pope, who passed away on 21 April 2025, spoke words of thanks as well as a call to action, in light of the company’s position «among the most important players in economic and social life in Italy and Europe» in a crucial sector, behind the energy that citizens use every day.

«You are an operator of the common good, the good of each and every one. When we turn on the light in our homes, we do not consider that this act functions thanks to the work of so many people, their intelligence and expertise, and also their sacrifices. Let us not forget those who have perished at work in the energy infrastructure, and let us ensure that there are no more of them!», implored Pope Francis as he opened his address, attended by the CEO and GM of Terna, Giuseppina Di Foggia, and its Chair, Igor De Biasio, among others.

CEO and GM Di Foggia herself recalled the meeting and the role of the Pontiff with a post on LinkedIn: «All of us at Terna are profoundly saddened by the death of Pope Francis. Along with our sorrow, we are also conscious of the responsibility we bear, of which Pope Francis himself reminded our company during his audience with Terna personnel on 31 August 2024».

«During that meeting, the Holy Father referred to the crucial role played by our company, whose role as the operator of the Italian national transmission grid makes it "among the most important players in economic and social life in Italy and Europe"», wrote Di Foggia. «Continuing his speech to Terna’s professionals, who are committed every day "to a future powered by clean energy", Pope Francis also issued a warning: "Production and consumption must become ever more equitable and inclusive. The challenge of inclusiveness, inclusion". It is with these words spoken by Pope Francis himself that the management and all employees of the company will remember the late Pontiff».

The meeting with Terna's professional. During the audience granted by the Pope to Terna’s professionals last August, he addressed them with a heartfelt message that focused heavily on the Group’s activities and the challenges of the twin transition: «You are committed to a future powered by clean energy, to new ways of consuming and producing it based increasingly on renewable sources» but, as Pope Francis reminded his listeners, «there is a lot of dirty energy on the planet. Dirty, certainly, because of too many fossil and non-renewable sources; but also soiled by injustice, by wars that are born and fed by the hunger for energy; soiled by unfair labour relations, by concentrations of huge profits in a few hands, by unsustainable work rhythms that pollute corporate relations and people's souls».

«Good energy is not just a technological issue: production and consumption must become ever more equitable and inclusive. The challenge of inclusiveness, inclusion», explained Pope Francis, who also spoke of «energy inclusion», «energy democracy», «a multi-dimensional challenge». According to the Pope, «one cannot be a sovereign citizen if one remains an energy subject. This is why the spread of energy communities, those new expressions of integral citizenship and democracy, which, with difficulty, are also developing in Italy, deserves to be supported and encouraged. And this is good».

In this regard, Terna bears a great responsibility, operating, as the Holy Father remarked, «in a sector that is critical for the quality of life and for the very survival of the planet». Pope Francis therefore congratulated those in attendance from Terna, because the company aims for transparency, for everyone to see «how you operate, how profits are distributed and investments are chosen». He particularly appreciated that Terna has an Ethics Committee, noting «that is good»: indeed, Pope Francis expressed the wish that every big company should have one.

Finally, His Holiness spoke of the term "electricity grid" to mean «the set of installations and connections that span and mark our territory. We use the word "network" a lot today, but we have also learnt what a network is by thinking of the electricity grid. A complex system, where everything is connected, where energy can reach the last house on a hill because behind that last stretch of cable, there is a whole system that supports it. The grid is also a beautiful metaphor for human cooperation and reciprocity, for the relationship between the part and the whole».

«Those pylons and poles that carried electricity into the countryside were greeted with applause, as one greets a great gift. To understand this, we have to go back to the stories of our grandparents who were farmers, to the day when they flipped the first switch and everything in the house suddenly lit up. Many, that evening, said a prayer in gratitude for that "miracle" that improved their lives».

«A few decades ago, you also brought light into the homes of the poor», noted the Pope, as he reflected on the history of national electrification. «Those pylons and poles that carried electricity into the countryside were greeted with applause, as one greets a great gift. To understand this, we have to go back to the stories of our grandparents who were farmers, to the day when they flipped the first switch and everything in the house suddenly lit up. Many, that evening, said a prayer in gratitude for that "miracle" that improved their lives, that allowed their children to study better and everyone to bathe in hot water. Even today, in certain villages in Africa and Asia, even in Latin America, one sees clusters of young people at night under the few street lamps studying, because they do not have electricity in their homes».

Before blessing the Terna attendees and their work, creativity and patience, Pope Francis drew his remarks to a close by reminding us that «work is also social love, civil fraternity. You put your intelligence, your soul, your heart, and your love into producing and distributing energy. We should remember this more, and therefore be more thankful».