World Day of the Poor 2024: Pope Francis had lunch with 1,300 people in need at the Vatican

Following a custom that began eight years ago, this November 17, Pope Francis received 1,300 guests in the Paul VI Hall to share lunch on the occasion of the World Day of the Poor.

The meal took place after the Mass that the Pontiff celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica, and was organized by the Dicastery for the Service of Charity and sponsored by the Italian Red Cross.

As reported Vatican NewsCardinal Konrad Krajewski, papal almoner, explained that celebrating this day means following Jesus and “thinking in the same way as the Gospel indicates, because that is what Christ would have done and, therefore, that is what we will also do.” .

For this year, Pope Francis chose the theme “The prayer of the poor ascends to God,” and the day was preceded “by numerous initiatives to care for the poor, such as the clinic located under the Bernini colonnade, open every day and which welcomes about 150 homeless people daily,” the Vatican media reported.

One of the guests was a man from Palermo, a guest at Palazzo Migliori, the residence for homeless people near St. Peter’s Basilica. The person told the Italian section of Vatican News who had a job and a family. However, he recently suffered a stroke, the Community of Sant’Egidio took him off the street.

“Thanking His Holiness the Pope and Cardinal Krajewski, it can be said that now I too have a home and a family. Having a place to sleep also helps you do something for the future,” he said. He said he wants to recover first and then look for work.

At the end of the lunch, Pope Francis greeted everyone and thanked the people who collaborated with the day.

Likewise, Vatican News reported that people in need received “from the fathers of the Congregation of Missionary Priests a backpack with food and basic necessities for daily life.”