The Pope urged societies to welcome poor people, while denouncing the “dramatic” isolation they suffer on many occasions.
In an audience with some members of the San Francisco work for the poor, a Catholic association founded in 1959 by the Capuchin friars, he claimed the attitude of “looking into the eyes, of shaking his hand, of leaning down” before the needy people promoted by Pope Francis during his pontificate.
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Therefore, Leo XIV urged to cultivate “in our environments, a family climate, and the one that helps us overcome the loneliness of the self through the luminous communion of us.”
“How much need is there to spread this sensitivity in our society, where sometimes, on the contrary, the isolation is dramatic!”
Organization born of a humble friar and a doctor
As the Pope recalled, this initiative was born from the “great heart of a humble goalkeeper friar, the venerable Fra Cecilio Maria Cortinovis, sensitive to the needs of the poor who knocked on the door of the Capuchino convent of Viale Piave, in Milan”.
The good religious, “he explained,” he had asked the Lord to help him to give these friends a better assistance, and Providence had responded, putting next generous person: Dr. Emilio Grignani. “
In this sense, he praised the work of this association, which has turned 66, as “a story not of benefactors and beneficiaries, but of brothers and sisters who recognize each other, as the gift of God, his presence, mutual help in a path of holiness.”
In his speech, pronounced on Monday at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Pontiff stressed three “complementary and fundamental aspects” of charity: assist, welcome and promote.
Assistance means “being present at the needs of others,” he said.
Next, he highlighted the different initiatives from social dining rooms, showers, medical offices, to psychological support services and job advice, with which this organization has helped more than 30,000 people a year.
Make space in the heart itself
“To this is added the reception, that is, to make space to the other in his own heart, in his own life, dedicating time, listening to him, supporting him, praying for him,” explained the pontiff.
Leo XIV explained that in this promotion “the disinterest” of charity and respect for people’s dignity come into play.
“You take care of those who are simply for your good, so that you can grow in all your potential and follow your way, without expecting anything in return and without imposing conditions. As God does with each of us, showing us a path, offering us all the necessary help to travel it, but leaving us free,” he added.
The Holy Father also cited San Juan Paul II, who urged “effectively growing the dignity and creativity of each person.”
According to numbers of the San Francisco work for the poor, which is based in Milan (northern Italy), more than 1,300 volunteers are part, including about 200 doctors.
Victoria Cardiel
Victoria Cardiel is a journalist specialized in social and religious information issues. Since 2013, he has covered all the news of the Vatican for various media, such as the Spanish news agency Europa Press, or the weekly of the Archdiocese of Madrid, Alfa and Omega.