Nov. 16 - World Day of the Poor

Pope Leo XIV has declared this Sunday, November 16th, to be the ninth World Day of the Poor, with the theme of “You are my hope". 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 recognize those experiencing poverty as "witnesses to a strong and steadfast hope, precisely because they embody it in the midst of uncertainty, poverty, instability and marginalization".

Pope Leo states: “The poor are not a distraction for the Church, but our beloved brothers and sisters, for by their lives, their words and their wisdom, they put us in contact with the truth of the Gospel”.

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."

Read the Pope’s message here on the World Day of the Poor.

On this day, and every day, may we pray for the poor and do what we can for those in need.