From the desk of the Tar Heel disciple:
October 26, 2025
In his first apostolic exhortation, Pope Leo XIV informs us that his predecessor, Pope Francis, was preparing a document on the Church’s care for the poor, entitled, Dilexi te (“I have loved you”), a quote taken from the Book of Revelation (3:19). The new pope informs us that he has added some of his own reflections to the document already prepared by Pope Francis before his death. Pope Francis provided a similar service when he began his papacy, by taking a document that had been begun but not completed by Benedict XVI. In that case, the document was released as an encyclical, indicating the highest level of papal magisterial teaching. This latest document, an apostolic exhortation, while significant, is of a slightly lower rank, which is usually considered more pastoral than doctrinal.
Of course, it is to be expected that many commentators would seek to discern what lines of the document are from which pope and if rightfully guessed, what all of this might indicate about the new pontiff’s agenda. It appears to this scribe that Pope Leo is making great efforts to show the continuity of his papacy with that of his predecessor. And while there are a few statements which might be defined as more ideological in nature, the vast majority of the document is Christo-centric, Scriptural, and historical in approach. It is certainly worth a read-through, at least, and sections of it deserve much deeper reflection. Among the latter are the closing paragraphs about almsgiving, a little used word in this culture. Whether these paragraphs (115-121, provided below) are original to Leo or an inheritance of Francis, they might well inspire any believer to reconsider his/her own attitudes and practices with regard to the poor and almsgiving.
Almsgiving today
115. I would like to close by saying something about almsgiving, which nowadays is not looked upon favorably even among believers. Not only is it rarely practiced, but it is even at times disparaged. Let me state once again that the most important way to help the disadvantaged is to assist them in finding a good job, so that they can lead a more dignified life by developing their abilities and contributing their fair share. In this sense, “lack of work means far more than simply not having a steady source of income. Work is also this, but it is much, much more. By working we become a fuller person, our humanity flourishes, young people become adults only by working. The Church’s social doctrine has always seen human work as a participation in God’s work of creation that continues every day, also thanks to the hands, mind and heart of the workers.” [128] On the other hand, where this is not possible, we cannot risk abandoning others to the fate of lacking the necessities for a dignified life. Consequently, almsgiving remains, for the time being, a necessary means of contact, encounter and empathy with those less fortunate.
116. Those inspired by true charity know full well that almsgiving does not absolve the competent authorities of their responsibilities, eliminate the duty of government institutions to care for the poor, or detract from rightful efforts to ensure justice. Almsgiving at least offers us a chance to halt before the poor, to look into their eyes, to touch them and to share something of ourselves with them. In any event, almsgiving, however modest, brings a touch of pietas into a society otherwise marked by the frenetic pursuit of personal gain. In the words of the Book of Proverbs: “Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor” (22:9).
117. Both the Old and New Testaments contain veritable hymns in praise of almsgiving: “Be patient with someone in humble circumstances, and do not keep him waiting for your alms… Store up almsgiving in your treasury, and it will rescue you from every disaster” (Sir 29:8,12). Jesus himself adds: “Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys” (Lk 12:33).
118. Saint John Chrysostom is known for saying: “Almsgiving is the wing of prayer. If you do not provide your prayer with wings, it will hardly fly.” [129] In the same vein, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus concluded one of his celebrated orations with these words: “If you think that I have something to say, servants of Christ, his brethren and co-heirs, let us visit Christ whenever we may; let us care for him, feed him, clothe him, welcome him, honor him, not only at a meal, as some have done, or by anointing him, as Mary did, or only by lending him a tomb, like Joseph of Arimathea, or by arranging for his burial, like Nicodemus, who loved Christ half-heartedly, or by giving him gold, frankincense and myrrh, like the Magi before all these others. The Lord of all asks for mercy, not sacrifice... Let us then show him mercy in the persons of the poor and those who today are lying on the ground, so that when we come to leave this world they may receive us into everlasting dwelling places.” [130]
119. Our love and our deepest convictions need to be continually cultivated, and we do so through our concrete actions. Remaining in the realm of ideas and theories, while failing to give them expression through frequent and practical acts of charity, will eventually cause even our most cherished hopes and aspirations to weaken and fade away. For this very reason, we Christians must not abandon almsgiving. It can be done in different ways, and surely more effectively, but it must continue to be done. It is always better at least to do something rather than nothing. Whatever form it may take, almsgiving will touch and soften our hardened hearts. It will not solve the problem of world poverty, yet it must still be carried out, with intelligence, diligence and social responsibility. For our part, we need to give alms as a way of reaching out and touching the suffering flesh of the poor.
120. Christian love breaks down every barrier, brings close those who were distant, unites strangers, and reconciles enemies. It spans chasms that are humanly impossible to bridge, and it penetrates to the most hidden crevices of society. By its very nature, Christian love is prophetic: it works miracles and knows no limits. It makes what was apparently impossible happen. Love is above all a way of looking at life and a way of living it. A Church that sets no limits to love, that knows no enemies to fight but only men and women to love, is the Church that the world needs today.
121. Through your work, your efforts to change unjust social structures or your simple, heartfelt gesture of closeness and support, the poor will come to realize that Jesus’ words are addressed personally to each of them: “I have loved you” (Rev 3:9).
Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on 4 October, the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, in the year 2025, the first of my Pontificate. Leo PP. XIV”
The complete text of this apostolic exhortation, in English, can be found at the Vatican website:
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20251004-dilexi-te.html
Paperback edition is available at In His Name:
https://inhisname.com/products/dilexi-te-on-love-for-the-poor-18860
