PRESS RELEASE

Message for the Eighth World Day of the Poor

13/06/2024

Pope Francis has chosen for the Eighth World Day of the Poor a particularly significant motto for this year dedicated to prayer, as the beginning of the Ordinary Jubilee 2025 approaches: “The prayer of the poor rises up to God (cf. Sir 21:5)”. This expression, which comes from the ancient scribe Ben Sira, becomes immediate, and easily understood.

The Pope reiterates that the poor have a privileged place in the heart of God, who is attentive and close to each one of them. God listens to the prayer of the poor and, faced with their suffering, becomes “impatient” until he has rendered justice to them. Indeed, as the Book of Sirach attests, “His judgment comes speedily” (21:5).

The next World Day of the Poor will be held this coming 17 November 2024, and the Holy Father will preside, as is customary, over the Eucharistic celebration in Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. This will be followed by the usual lunch with the poor in the Paul VI Hall, organized, like last year, by the Dicastery for Charity, while the Dicastery for Evangelization will provide for the needs of those most in need with various charitable initiatives. During the week preceding the Day, all the parish and diocesan communities will be called to place attention to the needs of the poor in their own neighbourhood at the centre of their pastoral activities through tangible signs.

In his Message, Pope Francis invites everyone to learn to pray for the poor and to pray together with them, with humility and confidence. The World Day of the Poor is an opportunity to become aware of the presence of the poor in our cities and communities, and to understand their needs. As always, the Pope also mentions the “new poor”, resulting from the violence of war, from “misguided policies involving weapons” (no. 4) which claim many innocent victims.

The Pope reiterates that prayer must find the confirmation of its authenticity in concrete charity. Indeed, prayer and deeds refer to each other: “If prayer does not translate into concrete action, it is in vain … however, charity without prayer risks becoming philanthropy that soon exhausts itself” (no. 7). This is the legacy that many saints have left us throughout history, such as Saint Teresa of Calcultta, who always repeated that she drew the faith and strength to serve the poor from prayer. In the Message, we also find the example of Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, “God’s vagabond”, poor among the poor, whose casket is in Rome, in the Church of Santa Maria ai Monti, and is a destination for many pilgrims.

Let us not forget, however, the many people who in our cities continue to devote a great deal of their own time to listening and supporting the poorest. They are real faces who, by their example, “give voice to God’s response to the prayer of those who turn to Him” (no. 7). The World Day of the Poor is also an opportunity to remember them all and to thank the Lord.

Pope Francis’ Message for this Eighth World Day of the Poor therefore invites us all to give more serious spiritual attention to the poor, who are in need of God and of someone to be a concrete sign of His listening and closeness.