Poverty

The Latest

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

Pope Francis visits temporary medical clinics for the poor in St. Peter's Square, Nov. 16, 2018.

Pope Francis visits the poor at mobile clinic in St Peter's Square

Nov 16, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis visited Friday the temporary medical clinics serving Rome’s poor and homeless in St. Peter's Square this week.  Read more

Pope Francis at the November 7, 2018 general audience.

Pope says entrepreneurship needed in face of 'scandalous poverty'

Nov 7, 2018

By Courtney Mares

“If there is hunger on earth, it is not because food is missing!” Pope Francis said in St. Peter’s Square... Read more

How diapers impact the bottom line, and how an NYC law can help

Oct 18, 2018

The New York City council passed a law Wednesday that will require many centers serving women and children in the... Read more

El Salvadoran boy.

Don’t cut vital services to immigrants with new DHS rule, bishops plead

Sep 25, 2018

Immigrants and their families will suffer great harm if long-standing policies are changed by the Department of Homeland Security to... Read more

Pregnant woman.

'Godmothers for Life' serve vulnerable moms in Uruguay

Mar 18, 2018

An Uruguayan non-profit organization called “Godmothers for Life” has been serving mothers in crisis pregnancies for more than 17 years,... Read more

Dumpster diving for the poor - How an Italian woman is feeding hungry families

Jan 2, 2018

After rummaging through supermarket dumpsters, 79-year-old Marta loads 90 pounds of edible food onto her bicycle every day. Three times... Read more

More than 100 couples get married in Paraguay cathedral

Nov 21, 2017

Over one hundred couples who had been living together but were not yet married celebrated their marriages in the Asuncion... Read more

How US Catholics will mark the World Day of the Poor

Nov 17, 2017

By Kevin J. Jones

As the first World Day of the Poor approaches on Nov. 19, Catholics in the U.S. aim to amplify their... Read more

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

Pope Francis makes surprise visit to the poor outside St Peter's Square

Nov 16, 2017

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis on Thursday made an unannounced visit to a small makeshift medical center in front of St. Peter's Square... Read more

More than just giving – World Day of the Poor highlights change of attitude

Nov 6, 2017

By Elise Harris

As the Church prepares to celebrate the first World Day of the Poor, an event announced by Pope Francis last... Read more

Caritas Venezuela warns that 280,000 children could die of malnutrition

Oct 31, 2017

Caritas Venezuela has warned that some 280,000 children could die of malnutrition due to food shortages amidst the country’s grave... Read more

For global 'peripheries,' poverty can lead to online exploitation

Oct 8, 2017

By Elise Harris

While the challenge of protecting children online is one faced throughout the world, Church leaders from Asia and Africa said... Read more

Melanie Medina in Rome. Courtesy of Melanie Medina.

For homeless woman, Rome trip proves that 'good things can happen'

Sep 25, 2017

By Elise Harris

After a long struggle with alcoholism and homelessness, Melanie Medina has turned her life around. She said that a recent... Read more

Outside a homeless shelter.

From addiction to ordination: a homeless man's journey to priesthood

Aug 25, 2017

Claude Paradis was impoverished and homeless, living on the streets of Montreal, Canada. He struggled with addiction to both alcohol... Read more

Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter's Square for the general audience Sept. 21 2016.

Pope Francis: World hunger is a result of indifference and selfishness

Jul 4, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Monday Pope Francis said that while hunger and undernourishment around the world can be an unsettling thing to confront,... Read more

Pope's US representative reminds bishops to reach those on the margins

Jun 15, 2017

By Matt Hadro

Pope Francis’ representative to the United States encouraged the nation’s bishops this week to promote solidarity and listen to those... Read more

Pope Francis met with street children during his visit to the Philippines on January 16, 2015.

For first World Day of the Poor, Francis encourages personal encounter

Jun 13, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

In his message for the first World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis said that the suffering and broken bodies... Read more

White House, Washington, D.C.

Budget proposal draws concern for cuts to poverty programs

May 24, 2017

By Matt Hadro

President Donald Trump’s budget requests, although applauded for their pro-life measures, were largely met with concern from Catholic aid groups,... Read more

Military ship.

Here's why the US bishops are distressed about military spending

May 23, 2017

By Matt Hadro

Leading U.S. bishops have expressed serious concerns with President Donald Trump’s reported budget proposals for the 2018 fiscal year, noting... Read more