MIAMI — Pope Leo XIV has issued his first major document since becoming pontiff, continuing a mission started by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
The new apostolic exhortation, “Dilexi te,” centers on compassion for the poor. In it, the pope writes that if the Church truly wants to belong to Christ, it must give the poor a privileged place.
Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski said the writing lays out Leo’s priorities for his pontificate.
“It is significant because first apostolic exhortations tend to be a putting forth of a strategic plan or the priorities of the pope for his pontificate,” Wenski said.
Wenski noted that the document doesn’t break new ground but shows continuity with Pope Francis’ teachings.
In Dilexi te, Leo denounces prejudices that, he says, can lead Christians to neglect their duty to care for the poor.
“There are those who say: ‘Our task is to pray and teach sound doctrine,’ (and argue) that it is the government’s job to care for (the poor) or that it would be better not to lift them out of their poverty, but simply teach them to work,” the pope wrote.
“In this document, the pope reminds us that we are called to love and we are called to serve — and not just with words, but in action,” Wenski said. “He tells us faith without compassion for the poor would be incomplete.”
Leo also wrote: “The Church, like a mother, accompanies those who are walking. Where the world sees threats, she sees children; where walls are built, she builds bridges, and she knows that in every rejected migrant, it is Christ himself who knocks at the door of the community.”
The Vatican has denied that the pope’s words were influenced by political events in the United States or elsewhere.
Wenski said the message transcends politics.
“We serve people not because they’re Catholic, but because we’re Catholic,” he said.
Leo argues that the Church often overlooks the spiritual needs of the poor — which, he says, are even more important than their financial needs — a theme echoing the message of Pope Francis, and one he clearly intends to champion in his own papacy.
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