World Day of the Poor

The theme is taken from the Psalmist's cry “You, O Lord, are my hope” (Ps 71:5).

In his message for this World Day of the Poor, the Holy Father urges us to recognise those experiencing poverty as "witnesses to a strong and steadfast hope, precisely because they embody it in the midst of uncertainty, poverty, instability and marginalisation"

In his message Pope Leo writes that the structural causes of poverty must be addressed and eliminated. "Helping the poor is a matter of justice before a question of charity" insists the Holy Father, quoting St Augustine, who observed: “You give bread to a hungry person; but it would be better if none were hungry, so that you would have no need to give it away."

In the meantime, the Pope urges us all to "offer new signs of hope" that will bear witness to Christian charity, which is the “is the greatest social commandment." He draws attention to the many “quiet signs of hope” - in care homes, community centres, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and low-income schools – that often go unnoticed.

Calling for the development of policies aimed at combatting forms of poverty and new initiatives to support those who are struggling, the Holy Father writes that; "Labour, education, housing and health are the foundations of a security that will never be attained by the use of arms."

Reflecting on the Jubilee Year of Hope, Pope Leo calls on us to ensure that the closing of the Holy Door does not mean an end to action. Those experiencing poverty remain "not recipients of our pastoral care, but creative subjects who challenge us to find novel ways of living out the Gospel today."

Read the full message

Pray with us

On this day we are invited to offer friendship, solidarity and welcome to the poorest of our sisters and brothers. As we reach out with love and support, let us hold all members of our global family in our prayers.