Pope Francis and the poor

Pope Francis eating with the poor he invited at the Vatican.

Pope Francis announced the World Day of the Poor during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, and it was celebrated for the first time 10 days ago, on the 33rd Sunday. He celebrated Mass for over 4000 needy people, after which Pope Francis offered Sunday lunch in the Paul VI Hall. Speaking to guests at the luncheon, the Holy Father said, “We pray that the Lord bless us, bless this meal, bless those who have prepared it, bless us all, bless our hearts, our families, our desires, our lives and give us health and strength.” The Holy Father went on to ask God's blessing on all those eating and serving in soup kitchens throughout the city. “Rome,” he said, “is full of this charity and good will today.” The World Day of the Poor is to be marked annually, on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. In his homily during Mass, the Pope said “In the poor, Jesus knocks on the doors of our heart, thirsting for our love. When we overcome our indifference and, in the name of Jesus, we give of ourselves for the least of his brethren, we are his good and faithful friends, with whom he loves to dwell.”

More guests sitting at table with Pope Francis.

Pope Francis is presently visiting Myanmar and Bangladesh. Ever since he was elected Pope, his trips have been to predominantly non-Catholic countries, to show his outreach to everyone, especially the poor and the suffering. Just look at the nations he visited so far: Israel, South Korea, Albania, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Bosnia Herzegovina, Kenya, Uganda, Greece, Armenia, Egypt, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Sweden. He hasn’t even visited his native Argentina or many of the Catholic countries yet.