Poverty

The Latest

Military ship.

Here's why the US bishops are distressed about military spending

May 23, 2017

By Matt Hadro

Leading U.S. bishops have expressed serious concerns with President Donald Trump’s reported budget proposals for the 2018 fiscal year, noting... Read more

Dawn at the U.S. Capitol Building.

Why this pro-life congressman opposed the failed health care bill

Apr 1, 2017

By Matt Hadro

When last week’s health care bill failed, it wasn’t just Democrats who fought it.  Read more

How assisted suicide discriminates against the poor and disabled

Feb 28, 2017

By Matt Hadro

While physician-assisted suicide is promoted as empowering terminally-ill patients, it could result in the poor being coerced to take their... Read more

A look inside the little-known 'spoon trail' of Chile

Jan 4, 2017

Dawn breaks in the city of Santiago de Chile. Amid the hustle and bustle of the waking city, a narrow... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Epiphany Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on Jan. 6, 2016

Why speak about the poor? Look to Christmas, Pope Francis says

Dec 17, 2016

There’s a Christmas reason to speak always about the poor and about mercy, Pope Francis told a benefit concert Saturday.  Read more

It'll be tough, but this group says world hunger can end by 2030

Nov 23, 2016

By Matt Hadro

Some of the greatest challenges to ending hunger worldwide are “fragile states” threatened by instability, conflict, and climate change, a... Read more

What the poor suffer from most happens in developed countries

Nov 16, 2016

By Elise Harris

While rarely talked about, Neglected Tropical Diseases are the most widespread ailment among the world's poorest of the poor –... Read more

UK cardinal: There are more homeless people than you think

Nov 11, 2016

Those who are homeless, both those who live on the streets and those who move from place to place, need... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday General Audience May 28, 2014.

The reality of poverty is challenging, but don't avoid it, Pope says

Oct 19, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday Pope Francis said that while donating money to charity might make us feel good, seeing real poverty in... Read more

Shyla Montoya with Pope Francis. Photo courtesy of Tanya Cangelosi.

From homeless to meeting the Pope – a story of inspiration

Sep 27, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Tanya Cangelosi never imagined that she would one day be bringing homeless people on pilgrimages to Rome. And Shyla Montoya... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on Dec. 16, 2015.

Pope offers pizza lunch to 1,500 poor after Mother Teresa canonization

Sep 4, 2016

By Elise Harris

On the occasion of the canonization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pope Francis has decided to offer a pizza lunch... Read more

It's World Humanitarian Day. Here's 5 things you should know.

Aug 19, 2016

By Matt Hadro

Friday, August 19 is World Humanitarian Day, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008. The day “honors... Read more

A man talks to police in riot gear as they wait in an alley after a second night of clashes between protestors and police August 15, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Racism, poverty, education – a closer look at the tensions in Milwaukee

Aug 17, 2016

After riots last weekend in Milwaukee brought long-standing social tensions to the surface, Catholic leaders are calling for prayer first... Read more

Pope Francis meets with 200 poor, sick and disabled pilgrims from the diocese of Lyon in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall July 6, 2016.

Pope Francis tells poor they are 'the treasures of the Church'

Jul 6, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis met with a group of poor and disabled pilgrims, calling them the “treasures of the Church,”... Read more

Pope Francis addresses the WFP Rome headquarters, June, 13, 2016.

Don't become immune to poverty, Pope tells UN's food agency

Jun 13, 2016

By Ann Schneible

In a world where information is brought instantly to our fingertips, society is becoming increasingly anesthetized to the suffering brought... Read more

Paul Ryan.

What Catholic leaders are saying about Paul Ryan's poverty plan

Jun 11, 2016

By Matt Hadro

After U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan announced a task force on poverty this, Catholic leaders and economists weighed in, saying... Read more

Courtroom.

How being poor wrecks your chances of good legal representation

May 12, 2016

By Matt Hadro

It's not a social justice issue that tops most Catholic's priorities, but it needs to be, legal experts are saying.... Read more

Pope Francis opens the Holy Doors at St. Peter's Basilica to begin the Year of Mercy, Dec. 8, 2015.

A pilgrimage for the poor to close out the Year of Mercy with Pope Francis

May 3, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Thousands of poor and excluded men and women from across Europe will be given a once in a lifetime opportunity... Read more

A look at how businesses can help the poor

Mar 21, 2016

By Matt Hadro

Businesses can care for both the poor and the created world by making decisions that focus on the human person... Read more

Poverty, environment, economy – it's all about the human person, Holy See tells UN

Oct 11, 2015

Global efforts to fight poverty, protect the environment and make decisions about the economy must all be connected by the... Read more