Pope Leo condemns economies that marginalize the poor while the wealthy live in a bubble of luxury

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By NICOLE WINFIELD
Updated 11:53 AM CDT, October 9, 2025
Leer en español

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV criticized how the wealthy live in a “bubble of comfort and luxury” while poor people suffer on the margins, confirming in his first teaching document that he is in perfect lockstep with his predecessor Pope Francis on matters of social and economic injustice.

The Vatican on Thursday released the document, entitled “I have loved you,” which Francis had begun to write in his final months but never finished. Leo, who was elected in May, credited Francis with the text, cited him repeatedly, but said he had made the document his own and signed it.

The 100-page document traces the history of Christianity’s constant concern for poor people, from Biblical citations and the teaching of church fathers to the preaching of recent popes about caring for migrants, prisoners and victims of human trafficking.

Leo credits especially women’s religious orders with carrying out God’s mandate to care for the sick, feed the poor and welcome the stranger, and also praised lay-led popular movements advocating for land, housing and work for the society’s most disadvantaged.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/vatican-poor-pope-leo-francis-wealth-elite-fb63ece4f0c302c7a321a09da52374ac

[ancianita]

1. So grateful for him.

Number of times the Bible forbids or demands penalties for abortions: 0
Number of times the Bible justifies keeping out immigrants: 0
Number of times Jesus condemned homosexuality: 0
Number of times the Bible addresses poverty, justice, and compassion for the poor: over 2,000

[Buddyzbuddy]

2. When is the smyting going to begin?

[MissouriDem47]

3. I'm Not Catholic

While I am not Catholic I like this guy.

[Paladin]

10. I'm not Catholic, either.

But if Pope Leo keeps this up, I may consider converting...

[JMCKUSICK]

4. The religion doesn't really matter when someone

Is "Doing God's Work" does it?
I'm not Catholic either, but Pope Francis set an amazing example and Pope Leo is taking it further.
That's wonderful.

[oberle]

5. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church has untold riches in the Vatican.

The priests and Pope Leo live in incredibly wealthy apartments. And the religious women who do the primary amount of work helping the poor and immigrants live in near poverty.

[ananda]

6. Excellent!

It is so important for Democrats to speak
out for the poor, not just the middle and
working classes.

[Wonder Why]

7. Like the U.S. has become? Our president IS a bubble.

[maxsolomon]

8. Pope condems the entire history of humanity.

Good luck with that, Papa.

[RainCaster]

9. Link to full text

Last edited Mon Oct 13, 2025, 10:05 AM - Edit history (1)

It's worth a read, IMO, and I'm not Catholic.
Full translations to many European languages.
https://ewtnvatican.com/articles/full-text-of-pope-leos-apostolic-exhortation-dilexi-te

After reading the whole thing, it feels to me like it's missing a "call to action". But, I'm not Catholic so I don't have a firm understanding of how we are to simply talk about good deeds and not actually execute. Shrug.