Devotion to God prompts advocacy for fairness, spreading the Word, as per the Pope's assertion
In a powerful message delivered during the Peruvian Church's Social Week events held in Lima from August 14-16, Pope Leo XIV called upon Catholics to respond to the pain of poverty and injustice experienced by many.
The Pope, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, emphasised the importance of the proclamation of the Catholic faith through concrete assistance to people in need. This approach, he said, is attuned to the signs of the times and comes from the heart of the Gospel.
Pope Leo XIV's message reiterated the importance of this approach, quoting St. Paul VI who said that saints engage in charity because they see the image of God in people. He also highlighted the examples of Peruvian saints such as St. Rose of Lima, Martin de Porres, John Macías, and Toribio of Mogrovejo, who embodied this spirit of service.
The Pope stressed that the true and ultimate direction of service is to give Christ fully, lest one gives far too little. He further emphasised that the love that moves Christians to offer material bread also moves them to offer the bread of the word. The bread of the word, he said, can awaken a hunger for the 'Bread of Heaven' which only the church can provide.
All social action of the church, according to Pope Leo XIV, must have as its center and goal the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ. He warned against straying from the Gospel or breaking the law of charity to seek greater justice through paths of violence.
The Pope's message was a call to action for Catholics participating in the Social Week events. He emphasised that the world needs the witness of saints, people who remain united to the Lord, and that the combination of intense prayer and unselfish service to the poor is part of the "density of holiness" found in Peru.
The Pope's message also highlighted the importance of transforming people from within and changing structures to make them more just, a principle that is part of the Catholic Social Teaching. He believes that the Gospel holds within itself sufficient power to generate renewing forces that transform people from within.
Pope Leo XIV served as Bishop of Chiclayo before becoming pope. He focuses on peace, social justice, and pastoral care based on his experience in Latin America. His commitment to these issues was evident in his participation in the Peruvian Church Social Week in Lima.
