Pope Leo XIV Reflects on Poverty Ahead of World Day
Pope Leo XIV has released his message for the 10th World Day of the Poor, which will be observed on 15 November 2026. In his address, dated June 13, the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, the Pope emphasizes God as “the ref…
Pope Leo XIV has released his message for the 10th World Day of the Poor, which will be observed on 15 November 2026. In his address, dated June 13, the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, the Pope emphasizes God as “the refuge of the poor,” urging Christians to renew their commitment to justice, solidarity, and human dignity.
In his message, the Pope reflects on Psalm 14, stating that it was composed during a tumultuous time marked by the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. He notes that the psalm's themes resonate through the ages, addressing the plight of those who feel deprived of God’s presence amid significant material and moral suffering. Pope Leo XIV explains that the opening verses draw a contrast between those who live wisely and those who see no purpose beyond their own existence.
“Sadly,” he remarks, “we see that even today there is widespread social injustice arising from arrogant corruption, which is as deplorable as it is discriminatory.” He acknowledges that the consequences of such injustices more often impact the impoverished, whose numbers continue to swell in many societies.
According to the Pope, a society devoid of God fosters dominance over mutual respect, leading to varied forms of oppression. He warns that the outcry of the poor is frequently muffled through “a multitude of increasingly subtle tactics,” a situation exacerbated by the digital world, which can intensify prejudice and foster indifference.
He emphasizes that the poor often turn to God in their distress, trusting in His mercy; they are typically more attuned to recognizing their fundamental needs, which allows them to see God as their ultimate refuge. “The poor of our day are the forgotten and the marginalized,” he declares, deprived not just of sustenance but of recognition and a voice. The Pope prays that the poor may encounter Christ through the efforts of Christians and the Church, which he describes as the place where “it is Jesus who offers bread and friendship; He brings light and opens a horizon of hope; He calls each person by name and restores dignity to all.”
Pope Leo XIV calls upon Christians not to merely seek God’s refuge but also to act as shelters for the poor. He insists that the Christian community “cannot remain indifferent to the many who today stand at the door but remain invisible to those who are shut within their own walls.”
Recalling Saint Augustine's interpretation of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the Pope invites believers to reflect on their lives and reassess their priorities. Invoking his Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te, he reiterates that “God shows a preference for the poor” and stresses that the Church must embody the Beatitudes by making space for the marginalized.
“We wish to bear witness,” the Pope concludes, “that it is possible, even today, to experience the same joy by putting ourselves in the shoes of the poor and listening to them rather than merely speaking about them.” He expresses hope that the Tenth World Day of the Poor will inspire Christians to “rediscover the faces of so many brothers and sisters who seek refuge in God and long to feel at home in our communities.”
