Dear Brothers and Sisters

Today we celebrate the Fifth World Day of the Poor, which began as a fruit of the Jubilee of Mercy. This year’s theme is Jesus’ word: “The poor you will always have with you” (Mk 14:7). And it is true: humanity progresses, develops, but the poor are always with us, there are always the poor, and in them Christ is present, Christ is present in the poor. The day before yesterday, in Assisi, we experienced a powerful moment of witness and prayer, which I invite you to repeat as it will do you good. And I am grateful for the many initiatives of solidarity that have been organised in dioceses and parishes throughout the world.

The cry of the poor, united with the cry of the Earth, resounded in recent days at the United Nations Climate Change Summit COP26 in Glasgow. I encourage all those with political and economic responsibilities to act now with courage and vision; at the same time, I invite all people of good will to exercise active citizenship for the care of the common home. To this end, today, World Day of the Poor, registration opens for the Laudato si’ platform, which promotes integral ecology.

Today is also World Diabetes Day, a chronic disease that afflicts many people, including young people and children. I pray for all of them and for those who share their fatigue every day, as well as for the health care workers and volunteers who assist them.

And now I greet all of you, faithful of Rome and pilgrims from various countries. I see so many flags there… Especially those who have come from Spain and Poland. I greet the scout group from Palestrina and the faithful from the parish of San Timoteo in Rome and from the parish of Bozzolo.

I wish you all a blessed Sunday. And please do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your meal, and arrivederci!