Pope Leo XIV has released his first major papal document, urging Christians worldwide to embrace a radical commitment to serving the poor. The newly published apostolic exhortation, signed on October 4, highlights the central role that love for the marginalized and vulnerable plays in authentic Christian faith.
Papal Call to Action on Poverty
In his document titled Dilexi Te (“I Have Loved You”), Pope Leo XIV asserts that love for the poor is not an optional aspect of Christian life, but a defining hallmark of genuine discipleship and faithfulness to the Gospel. The exhortation challenges believers to recall that Scripture and tradition consistently portray God’s compassion for the poor and oppressed as a core attribute of His character. “Love for the poor—whatever the form their poverty may take—is the evangelical hallmark of a Church faithful to the heart of God,” the Pope wrote.
Scriptural Foundations and Contemporary Relevance
Pope Leo XIV emphasized that many modern Christians would benefit from revisiting the teachings of the Gospel, which closely tie faith to active love, justice, and mercy. Citing both historical tradition and biblical mandates, he argued that neglecting the needs of the vulnerable distances the Church from its spiritual mission and true identity.
Release Timed with Feast of St. Francis
The importance of the document was further underscored by the decision to sign and release it on October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, a renowned advocate for the poor and champion of Christian simplicity and generosity. In recent remarks during a luncheon with guests served by a diocesan Caritas agency, Pope Leo XIV reiterated his call for decisive action on behalf of those in need, urging both clergy and laypeople to lead by example in generosity and solidarity.
Global Church Response
The exhortation is expected to shape the priorities and outreach initiatives of Catholic dioceses worldwide, with Church leaders and social ministries already discussing ways to integrate its guidance into local action. By framing love for the poor as a defining trait of authentic Christian witness, Pope Leo XIV has positioned this exhortation as a foundational text for his papacy and a renewed call to compassionate service in a world marked by inequality and hardship.
[papal document on love for the poor challenges Christians to a renewed commitment to social justice]