Pope Leo’s focus on poverty welcomed
National
Australian Catholics have been encouraged to study the first Apostolic Exhortation released by Pope Leo XIV which continues the call of Pope Francis to be a Church for the poor.
Dilexi te (I have loved you), released in Rome on October 9, is the continuation of a document begun by Pope Francis in the months before his death in April.
“I share the desire of my beloved predecessor that all Christians come to appreciate the close connection between Christ’s love and his summons to care for the poor,” Pope Leo writes in the introduction.
The 100-page document describes prejudice against the poor as an “inescapable challenge”.
“Not infrequently, our prosperity can make us blind to the needs of others and even make us think that our happiness and fulfilment depend on ourselves alone, apart from others.
“In such cases, the poor can act as silent teachers for us, making us conscious of our presumption and instilling within us a rightful spirit of humility.”
The document urges a multifaceted approach to poverty including prayer, solidarity, welfare assistance, almsgiving and working to ensure social justice.
“Through your work, your efforts to change unjust social structures or your simple, heartfelt gesture of closeness and support, the poor will come to realise that Jesus’ words are addressed personally to each of them: ‘I have loved you’ (Rev 3:9),” the document concludes.
Bishop Timothy Harris, chair of the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service, said it was an important document in that it drew focus on love for the poor.
“It is significant that Pope Leo should publish his first Apostolic Exhortation in continuity with Pope Francis’ Dilexit nos (‘He Loved Us’), as this immediately identifies poverty as a priority under the new papacy,” Bishop Harris said.
“In studying Dilexi te, we can come to appreciate the close connection between Christ’s love and his summons to care for the poor.
“Dilexi te reminds us that it is essential that we recognise Jesus in the poor and the suffering. It is here we see the very heart of Christ. Pope Leo reminds us of the importance of loving the poor, as Jesus did.”
Bishop Harris said Pope Leo – like Pope Francis – emphasised that the poor are at the heart of the Gospel.
“This is an essential reminder given the awful reality of poverty in today’s world,” he said.
The full statement can be found at this website.
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