Pope Francis proclaimed the First World Day for the Poor for Christians to keep the concern for the poor alive and constant. "I wanted to offer the World Day for the Poor to the Church, so Christian communities worldwide become offer more concrete, and better, signs of Christ's charity for the last and most needy," wrote the Pontiff in a message sent for the occasion.
"Despite great progress in the fight against poverty, made possible by globalization and technological progress, inequality has increased considerably across the globe," said Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General. Today's poverty is determined by military conflicts afflicting the world, from damage to creation, from food insecurity and water shortage, all factors that seriously undermine the progress of the whole of humanity.
Those who believe cannot just limit themselves to acknowledging the situation of the poor, but must concern themselves because faith, "unless followed by works, in itself is dead."
In his message, the Pope brings the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, who "was not content just to embrace and give alms to the lepers, but decided to go to Gubbio to be with them (...) This testimony shows the transforming power of charity and the lifestyle of Christians."
"We mustn't think of the poor only as recipients of a good action volunteered once a week, or even less, as random gestures of goodwill to put our conscience to peace," the Pope continued. Such experiences "should introduce us to a real encounter with the poor and give rise to a sharing that becomes a lifestyle."
This First World Day for the Poor is an appeal to all "to reach out to the poor", as the Pontiff did yesterday, November 16, when he visited the medical clinic set up in St. Peter's Square these days: a place where charity becomes reality.
