Pope Leo XIV has issued his first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te, which builds on the teachings from Pope Francis’ final encyclical, Dilexit nos. The messages throughout the Exhortation overall shares the love for the poor and the sick, and further, opposing slavery, defending women from exclusion and violence, education accessible for all, accompanying migrants, being charitable and continually working towards equality for all.
CHAPTER ONE – A FEW ESSENTIAL WORDS
Pope Leo XIV begins this chapter with verses from Jesus Anointed at Bethany in Matthew 26:8-9, 11. He states that the simplicity in the women’s actions of pouring out all her love for Jesus, will never be forgotten. He says that “contact with those who are lowly and powerless is a fundamental way of encountering the Lord of history.” Ultimately, true discipleship is an inseparable link between love for Christ and love for the poor.
The Holy Father speaks of Saint Francis of Assisi, who embodied the truth that encountering the poor is a way of encountering God himself, by embracing poverty to reach the outcasts. His life inspired a renewal of faith for the people of his time, which contributed to changing history, and allowing his notions to continue to transform society today.
Despite progress, poverty and inequality are still dominant issues in our world today. Pope Leo XIV states, “the illusion of happiness derived from a comfortable life pushes many people towards a vision of life centred on the accumulation of wealth and social success at all costs…”. He encourages readers to not let their guards down when it comes to poverty, and to understand it in the light of modern conditions.
“…contact with those who are lowly and powerless is a
Pope Leo XIV
fundamental way of encountering the Lord of history.”
CHAPTER TWO – GOD CHOOSES THE POOR
God’s heart is especially close to those experiencing suffering, as Jesus lived in poverty in most aspects of his life. Not only did Jesus talk of and teach about God’s love for the poor – his life showed this through the way he lived; born in a manger, no permanent home, working as a carpenter, relying on the Father’s providence, living a simple life, and dying on a cross.
Through bible stories such as The Rich Man and Lazarus, the Holy Father reminds us that Jesus overturned the belief that poverty is just a punishment for sin, and that true worth does not come from wealth, but rather comes from compassion.
We are called to make decisive and radical choices in favour of the weakest, to support God’s choice in having a special place in his heart for those who are discriminated against and those who are oppressed, as Pope Leo writes, “…the intrinsic value of respect for others is expressly stated: anyone in need, even an enemy, always deserves our assistance.”
Please keep an eye out for an updated version, which will include chapters 3 and 4.
