World Day of the Poor

The Latest

Pope Francis was joined by thousands of pilgrims in the Vatican on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, to celebrate the eighth annual World Day of the Poor.

Pope Francis: The poor ‘continue to wait’ for the Church, governments to take action

Nov 17, 2024

By Kristina Millare

During his homily and Angelus address, the Holy Father repeated his plea for Catholics to show their closeness to the... Read more

Pope Francis raises his glass at the start of a lunch with poor and economically disadvantaged people in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall on Nov. 19, 2023.

Pope Francis to have Sunday lunch with 1,300 guests on World Day of the Poor

Nov 12, 2024

By Kristina Millare

This year’s lunch, organized by the Dicastery for the Service of Charity in collaboration with the Italian Red Cross, will... Read more

A homeless man sleeps on the sidewalk in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 22, 2023.

For World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis urges Christians to ‘be friends of the poor’

Jun 13, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Pope Francis this week urged Christians around the world to share in the suffering of the poor and to commune... Read more

Pope Francis receives a hug from a child during lunch on the World Day of the Poor Nov. 13, 2022.

Pope Francis shares meal with the poor

Nov 14, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The meal was part of several Vatican-sponsored initiatives marking the sixth annual World Day of the Poor. Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for the World Day of the Poor Nov. 13, 2022.

Pope Francis: ‘Light candles of hope in the midst of darkness’

Nov 13, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The poor were special guests at Pope Francis’ Mass for the sixth World Day of the Poor. Read more

A banner featuring Pope Francis for the World Day of the Poor, 2022

Here’s what the Vatican is doing for the World Day of the Poor

Nov 9, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

In his message for this year’s World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis said that no Christian is exempt from... Read more

Pope Francis greets a participant in the World Day of the Poor in Rome, Nov. 16, 2017.

Pope Francis: No Christian is exempt from aiding the poor

Jun 14, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope made the remark in his message for the 2022 World Day of the Poor. Read more

Pope Francis offers Mass for the fifth World Day of the Poor on Nov. 14, 2021.

Pope Francis on World Day of the Poor: Be ‘tireless builders of hope’ amid suffering

Nov 14, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The pope offered Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the presence of 2,000 people living in poverty and the volunteers... Read more

On Nov. 17, 2019, Pope Francis shared a free lunch with nearly 1,500 poor people invited to dine at the Vatican for the 3rd annual World Day of the Poor

Pope Francis to meet 500 poor in Assisi on Nov. 12

Oct 15, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The encounter will mark the Catholic Church’s 5th annual celebration of the World Day of the Poor. Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 9, 2015 for the general audience.

Pope Francis: Marginalizing the poor threatens ‘the very concept of democracy’

Jun 14, 2021

By CNA Staff

In his World Day of the Poor message, the pope appealed for a new global approach to poverty. Read more

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus address overlooking St. Peter’s Square Nov. 15, 2020.

Pope Francis: Stretch out your hand to the poor

Nov 15, 2020

Jesus is telling us today to stretch out our hands to the poor, Pope Francis said in his Angelus address... Read more

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia.

Archbishop calls on Catholics to ‘take personal responsibility’ for aiding the poor

Nov 15, 2020

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, encouraged Catholics to exit... Read more

Pope Francis prays during Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on the fourth World Day of the Poor on Nov. 15, 2020.

Pope Francis: The poor are at the heart of the Gospel

Nov 15, 2020

Pope Francis on Sunday said that the needy are at the heart of the Gospel as he celebrated a Mass... Read more

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, at the Vatican press office on Jan. 18, 2016.

Pandemic forces Vatican to scale down World Day of the Poor events

Nov 12, 2020

Coronavirus restrictions have forced the Vatican to scale down its commemoration of the World Day of the Poor, a Vatican... Read more

Pope Francis gives his Angelus address June 7, 2020.

Pope Francis: Catholics cannot ignore the poverty caused by the pandemic

Jun 13, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Saturday that the coronavirus pandemic has revealed poverty that Catholics cannot ignore.  Read more

Mass for the World Day of the Poor in St. Peter's Basilica.

Pope Francis: The poor, unborn, and elderly are neglected in the frenzy of modern life

Nov 17, 2019

By Courtney Mares

On the World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis said that the poor and most vulnerable can be left behind... Read more

Pope Francis venerates the cross on Good Friday April 19, 2019.

Pope Francis' message to those suffering 'at the foot of the cross'

Nov 15, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis told those who are sick and suffering Friday that the world needs their prayers.  Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran Nov. 9, 2019.

Pope urges Catholics to meet the poor and speak to them with love

Nov 9, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Go out to meet the poor, listen to them, and speak to them with the heart of Jesus, Pope Francis... Read more

Pope Francis in Ireland for the World Meeting of Families, August 2018.

Christians must sow hope among the poor, pope says

Jun 13, 2019

Pope Francis challenged Catholics to be a source of hope for those in poverty, especially in the face of divisions... Read more

Pope Francis says Mass on the World Day of the Poor Nov. 18, 2018.

Invite Jesus into the storms of life, Pope Francis says

Nov 18, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

During a difficult time, it can be easy to see only the immediate problem; but asking Jesus to be the... Read more