As the Church prepares to mark the Ninth World Day of the Poor on Sunday, 16 November 2025, Pope Leo XIV issues a powerful message centered on the theme: “You are my hope.” This message emerges during a significant Jubilee Year, where the Pope expresses his aspirations that this celebration may inspire policies aimed at combating the multifaceted nature of poverty—both longstanding and emerging.
By Linda Bordoni
Pope Leo XIV’s message is steeped in scriptural reflection and the lived experiences of those in poverty. He urges Christians to look upon the poor not merely as objects of charity but as vital protagonists of hope within the community. He envisions the Jubilee Year as a pivotal moment for “new initiatives to support and assist the poorest of the poor,” emphasizing foundational elements such as “labour, education, housing, and health” as essential to creating a lasting sense of security. The Pope argues that these cannot be achieved through military means but must stem from compassionate, systemic change.
Released on the Feast Day of Saint Anthony of Padua, the patron of the poor, the Pope’s message calls on the faithful to rediscover a profound sense of Christian hope as a balm to the uncertainty that permeates society today. “Hope in God never disappoints,” he firmly asserts, drawing upon Saint Paul’s proclamation that “we have our hope set on the living God.”
Witnesses to Hope Amid Hardship
Pope Leo XIV reflects on the paradoxical nature of hope as lived by those experiencing poverty. Although materially disadvantaged, the poor often embody a resilient hope that endures. “They cannot rely on the security of power and possessions… their hope must necessarily be sought elsewhere,” he explains. It is in this admittedly vulnerable state that both the poor and those who help them can transition from fleeting hopes to a more durable sense of hope.
The gravest form of poverty, the Pope emphasizes, is not material deprivation but a lack of knowledge of God. Citing Pope Francis’s encyclical Evangelii Gaudium, he underscores that spiritual care must also encompass the poor, who often showcase a unique openness to faith and spiritual growth.
Hope as an Anchor
The Pope elaborates on the early Christian understanding of hope as an anchor for the soul: “Christian hope is like an anchor that grounds our hearts in the promise of the Lord Jesus.” In a world fraught with conflict, displacement, and ecological devastation, he insists that this hope remains a vital anchor, ensuring the preservation of human dignity. He asserts, “Charity is not just a promise; it is a present reality to be embraced with joy and responsibility.”
From the City of Man to the City of God
Connecting the themes of faith and social responsibility, the Pope recalls the Church’s long-standing doctrine that poverty must be addressed not only on a surface level but by delving into its structural causes. “Poverty has structural causes that must be addressed and eliminated,” he states, urging the implementation of policies that enshrine labour, education, housing, and health as universal rights.
Pope Leo XIV also speaks against a culture of indifference, illuminating various “quiet signs of hope”—like care homes, soup kitchens, and low-income schools—that often go unnoticed, yet embody the Church’s mission. “The poor are not a distraction for the Church,” he reminds his audience, “They are our beloved brothers and sisters… they put us in contact with the truth of the Gospel.”
A Jubilee of Responsibility
The Pope makes his call to action all the more pressing by linking the upcoming World Day of the Poor with the ongoing Jubilee celebration: “Once the Holy Door is closed, we are to cherish and share with others the divine gifts granted us.” He compels believers to view the poor not simply as recipients of charity but as “creative subjects who challenge us to find novel ways of living out the Gospel today.”
Echoing the wisdom of Saint Augustine, he calls for justice over mere acts of generosity: “You give bread to a hungry person; but it would be better if none were hungry,” he quotes, insisting on the importance of systemic change over isolated acts of charity.
As he draws his message to a close, Pope Leo XIV entrusts all to Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted, inviting the Church and the world to create a “song of hope” with the words of the Te Deum: “In you, O Lord, is our hope, and we shall never hope in vain.”
World Day of the Poor
Established by Pope Francis in 2017, the World Day of the Poor serves to galvanize the Church into action against various forms of poverty. It presents a unique opportunity for Christians and all individuals of goodwill to reflect deeply and take social action, encouraging connections with those experiencing poverty and striving towards an end to the vicious cycles that perpetuate it. This event is celebrated on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, providing a timely reminder of our collective responsibilities towards those in need.
