Serving the poor

The Latest

Pope Francis gives his Angelus address on Dec. 24, 2023.

Pope Francis: Do not confuse Christmas with consumerism

Dec 24, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope asked people to think of which lonely or needy people could be comforted by their friendship during the... Read more

A low-income home in Buenaventura, Colombia.

Pontifical foundation launches two projects for those in need in Colombia

Sep 25, 2023

By Diego López Marina

The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need has been developing two vital projects for the most needy communities... Read more

Pope Francis prays at his Wednesday audience in St. Peter’s Square on April 12, 2023.

This is Pope Francis’ prayer intention for September 2023

Aug 31, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

“How could we have reached this level of indifference?” the Holy Father asked while stating the intention for the upcoming... Read more

Pope Francis and José María Del Corral, president of the Scholas Occurrentes youth movement, smile during a meeting with the group's volunteers in Cascais, Portugal, on Aug. 3, 2023.

‘Attend to the planet and poor,’ Pope Francis urges college students

Aug 3, 2023

By Shannon Mullen

Pope Francis began his second day in Portugal with a meeting with Catholic students and members of an educational youth... Read more

Mother Teresa (left) smiles during Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 12, 1996.

Mother Teresa’s feast day: 25 quotes on living life beautifully

Sep 5, 2022

By Katie Yoder

When St. Teresa of Kolkata, India, passed away 25 years ago, she left behind guidance on how to live a... 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

A mobile health clinic in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 25, 2021.

Mobile heart clinic provides free visits to poor in St. Peter’s Square

Oct 25, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The rate of heart attacks tripled in Italy in 2020 compared to the previous year. Read more

Venerable Carlo Acutis.

Carlo Acutis loved the homeless, St. Francis of Assisi, and souls in purgatory

Oct 7, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Ahead of Carlo Acutis’ beatification this week, people who knew the young computer programmer shared their memories of his love... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his general audience Jan. 13, 2016.

Money doesn't make you rich – loving others does, Pope says

Feb 7, 2017

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis’ pastoral heart came out in his Lenten message this year, focusing in what could be a lengthy homily... Read more

Pope Francis blesses the sick and disabled at the general audience at the Paul VI Hall in Vatican City on November 30, 2016.

Pope to global economic leaders: Remember the dignity of the human person

Dec 3, 2016

In an unprecedented event, Fortune 500 CEOs, members of the Time 100 and non-profit, academic, religious and labor leaders from... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his June 15, 2016 general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Are you 'bothered' by the cry of the poor? If so, it’s a problem, Pope says

Jun 15, 2016

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis said Wednesday that we must listen to the cries of the poor and needy, resisting the temptation to... Read more

Pope Francis waves to the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Wednesday General Audience on May 27, 2015.

Pope to Paraguay’s poor: faith without solidarity is dead

Jul 12, 2015

On his final day in South America Pope Francis visited the poorest neighborhood in Paraguay’s capitol, encouraging residents to practice... Read more

A resident and a sister arrange flowers at the Little Sisters of the Poor's Mullen Home in Denver, CO in this undated file photo.

Resist 'hidden euthanasia' of elderly, Little Sisters stress

Oct 18, 2014

Receiving an award recognizing their works of service, members of the Little Sisters of the Poor stressed the need for... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Nov. 27, 2013

'I need the people of God to sustain me,' Pope says in interview

Mar 15, 2014

By Elise Harris

During a recent radio interview given to a station in a slum of Argentina, Pope Francis explained his frequent request... Read more

Bishops laud Pope’s humility, care for poor on anniversary

Mar 12, 2014

By Elise Harris

In a statement released on the occasion of the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate, US bishops praised the pontiff... Read more

Pope Francis greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square for Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013.

Pope encourages Rome's lay faithful to serve poor

Mar 9, 2014

In a message to participants at a conference on the mission of the laity in Rome, Pope Francis urged the... Read more