In a difficult and galvanizing homily for the sixth World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis advised Christians to “not take heed to the prophets of doom” at a time when humanity is affected by multiple crises including war, climate change, the Covid pandemic, and social and economic injustice. He called on them as an alternative to “light candles of hope within the midst of darkness” and to “seize opportunities to bear witness to the Gospel of joy and to construct a more fraternal world.”
Francis has at all times been concerned for the plight of the poor—as a Jesuit, as archbishop of Buenos Aires and now as pope. Since his election as pope in 2013, he has sought in countless ways, each within the Vatican and internationally, to attract attention to the world’s poor. As a part of that effort in 2017, he decreed that the Catholic Church worldwide would put aside one Sunday every 12 months (the thirty third Sunday in Bizarre Time) to “reflect on how poverty is on the very heart of the Gospel” and to take steps to handle poverty locally and globally.
In his homily, Francis highlighted the countless crises which have increased poverty in today’s world and caused greater suffering to the poor.
This Sunday morning, Nov. 13, Francis presided at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for the World Day of the Poor. Due to pandemic, it was the primary time since 2019 that he was in a position to have fun this Mass attended by a big congregation that included 1,300 poor people and members of organizations that work for and with the poor, like Caritas and Sant’Egidio. He offered the poor people a free lunch after Mass within the Paul VI audience hall and went personally to greet them.
It was also the primary time since 2019 that one other initiative of his, the health clinic in Peter’s Square, was in a position to provide for one week (Nov. 7-13) free health screenings and medical care— including general check-ups, electrocardiograms, blood tests, flu shots, Covid tests, and screening for HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis—to those that might otherwise not have access.
In his homily, Francis highlighted the countless crises which have increased poverty in today’s world and caused greater suffering to the poor. He mentioned especially climate change and the “cruel and brutal” war in “martyred Ukraine” now in its 236rd day, which he referred to several times due to the destruction and lack of life it’s causing and the number of nations— greater than 50—now involved in a roundabout way.
Commenting on the Gospel of the day (Luke 21), where Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and draws attention to the troubled and dramatic events that mark human history, Pope Francis said, “it will be significant to find a way to discern the times wherein we live, as a way to remain disciples of the Gospel even amid the upheavals of history.”
“It is crucial to find a way to discern the times wherein we live, as a way to remain disciples of the Gospel even amid the upheavals of history.”
“To indicate us the trail to such discernment”, he said, Jesus “offers us two exhortations: beware that you just usually are not led astray and bear witness.”
He said Jesus first tells us, “Beware that you just usually are not led astray.” This implies “avoiding the temptation to interpret dramatic events in a superstitious or catastrophic way, as if we at the moment are near the top of the world and it’s useless to commit ourselves to doing good.” Francis said, “If we expect in this manner, we let ourselves be guided by fear, and we may find yourself on the lookout for answers with morbid curiosity within the ever-present chicanery of magic or horoscopes” or “depend on some last-minute ‘messiah’ who peddles wild theories, normally conspiratorial and stuffed with doom and gloom.” He reminded believers that “The spirit of the Lord isn’t to be present in such approaches” and said, “Jesus warns us to not be gullible or fearful but learn how one can interpret events with the eyes of religion, certain that by remaining near God ‘not a hair of your head will perish’ (Luke 21.18).”
Pope Francis said, “If human history is crammed with dramatic events, situations of suffering, wars, revolutions and disasters, additionally it is true, Jesus tells us, that that isn’t the top of the world” and so “it isn’t a great reason for letting ourselves be paralyzed by fear or for yielding to the defeatism of those that think that every little thing is lost and that it’s useless to take an lively part in life.”
The Jesuit pope told those within the basilica and a vastly greater global audience following on television and the social media, “A disciple of the Lord shouldn’t yield to resignation or give in to discouragement, even in probably the most difficult situations, for our God is the God of resurrection and hope, who at all times raises up.” Because of this, he said, “Christians within the face of trials ask: What’s the Lord saying to us, especially within the midst of this third world war? What’s the Lord saying to us? And when evil events occur that give rise to poverty and suffering, the Christian asks: ‘What good can I concretely do?’ Don’t run away, ask yourself the query: ‘What’s the Lord saying to me and what good can I do?’”
“When evil events occur that give rise to poverty and suffering, the Christian asks: ‘What good can I concretely do?’”
He said Jesus’ second piece of recommendation—“don’t be led astray”—is positive “because he tells us ‘This provides you with a possibility to testify.’ It means having the possibility to do something good, ranging from our situation in life, even when it isn’t ideal.” Francis emphasized, “It’s a skill typically Christian to not be a victim of every little thing that happens, but to seize the chance that lies hidden in every little thing that befalls us, the great that may come about even from negative situations. Every crisis is a possibility and offers opportunities for growth. We realize this if we expect back on our own history: In life, often our most vital steps forward were taken within the midst of certain crises, in situations of trial, lack of control or insecurity.”
Pope Francis said these words of Jesus give encouragement to us today as we see “troubling events throughout, while wars and conflicts are on the rise, while earthquakes, famines and plagues are happening.” They encourage us because they allow us to see “these situations” as “opportunities to bear witness to the Gospel.”
He said Jesus’ words call us “to interrupt through that inner deafness which prevents us from hearing the stifled cry of pain of the frailest.”
Drawing attention to the dramatic situation in today’s world, Francis said, “we too live in troubled societies and are witnesses, because the Gospel told us, to scenes of violence, injustice and persecution,” and “we must face the crisis generated by climate change and the pandemic, which has left in its wake not only physical, but in addition psychological, economic and social maladies.” Furthermore, he said, “Even now we see peoples rising up against peoples and we witness with trepidation the vast expansion of conflicts and the calamity of war, which causes the death of so many innocent people and multiplies the poison of hatred.”
Then referring to a different category of poor people, the thousands and thousands of migrants on the planet, Francis said, “Today, far more than previously, a lot of our brothers and sisters, sorely tested and disheartened, migrate looking for hope, and plenty of people experience insecurity resulting from the dearth of employment or unjust and undignified working conditions. Today too, the poor pay the heaviest price in any crisis.”
“It’s a skill typically Christian to not be a victim of every little thing that happens, but to seize the chance that lies hidden in every little thing that befalls us, the great that may come about even from negative situations.”
Francis continued, “If our heart is deadened and indifferent, we cannot hear their faint cry of pain, we cannot cry with them and for them, we cannot see how much loneliness and anguish also lie hidden within the forgotten corners of our cities.”
At this point, Francis issued a stirring call to Christians worldwide: “Allow us to take to heart the clear and unmistakable summons within the Gospel to not be led astray. Allow us to not take heed to prophets of doom. Allow us to not be enchanted by the sirens of populism, which exploit people’s real needs by facile and hasty solutions. Allow us to not follow the false ‘messiahs’ who, within the name of profit, proclaim recipes useful just for increasing the wealth of a number of, while condemning the poor to the margins of society.
“As a substitute, allow us to bear witness. Allow us to light candles of hope within the midst of darkness. Amid dramatic situations, allow us to seize opportunities to bear witness to the Gospel of joy and to construct a more fraternal world. Allow us to commit ourselves courageously to justice, the rule of law and peace, and stand in conjunction with the weakest. Allow us to not step back to guard ourselves from history, but strive to provide this moment of history a distinct face.”
He concluded his homily by reminding believers that they “find the strength for all this” by “trusting in God our Father, who watches over us.” “We should always at all times repeat this to ourselves, especially at times of biggest trouble: God is a Father, and he’s at my side. He knows and loves me; he does stay awake, but watches over me and cares for me. If I stay near him, not a hair of my head will perish.”
And, he said, “Since he loves us, allow us to resolve to like him in probably the most abandoned of his children. Allow us to take care of the poor, in whom we discover Jesus.”
