Pope at Mass Urges World Leaders to Heed Cry of the Poor: ‘No Peace Without Justice’

Vatican city, November 16, 2025: On the Ninth World Day of the Poor, Pope Leo XIV presided at a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica to mark the Jubilee of the Poor, joined by around 6,000 pilgrims. Before the celebration, he paused in St. Peter’s Square to greet the 12,000 faithful gathered there, inviting them to participate in the Mass “with great love and deep faith”, reminding them that “we are all united in Christ” as they followed the liturgy on the jumbotrons.

In his homily, Pope Leo noted that the liturgical year is nearing its conclusion and that the readings increasingly point towards the final end of history. He recalled the prophet Malachi’s description of the end time as “God’s time”, a dawning moment when the sun of righteousness rises and the poor and humble receive God’s definitive answer. In that moment, he said, the wicked and their injustices—especially those committed against the vulnerable—will be eradicated “like straw burnt away”.

The Pope highlighted Jesus as the “sun of righteousness”, the active and ever-present power of God in all dramatic events throughout history. He urged Christians not to succumb to fear but to stay rooted in hope, because “the Lord will never let even a hair of our head perish”.

He reminded the faithful that God does not abandon people in suffering, persecution, or oppression, whether personal or societal. In Jesus, he said, God’s closeness reaches “the summit of love”, becoming gladness and joy for the poorest.

Marking the World Day of the Poor, Pope Leo reflected on the message of his first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te, I have loved you, saying the Church is called to be a mother to the poor and a place of justice and welcome for all who suffer.

The Pope lamented the many forms of poverty afflicting the world, including material, moral, and spiritual poverty, which he said weighs heavily on young people. He described loneliness as a painful tragedy, urging society to cultivate a culture of attention rather than indifference.

Pope Leo encouraged Christians to remain attentive to others in daily life—online, at work, and within families—saying many opportunities exist to show God’s tenderness.

Addressing global tensions, he lamented the numerous wars afflicting the world, saying they appear to confirm a widespread sense of helplessness. But he warned that this helplessness stems from the false belief that history cannot change. The Gospel, he said, reminds humanity that God saves precisely in times of upheaval.

The Pope called on world leaders to listen to “the cry of the poorest”, insisting that “there can be no peace without justice”. He emphasised that the poor remind society of this truth, particularly through their struggles, including migration and cries for wellbeing and progress.

He thanked charity workers and volunteers for expressing the essence of faith and the Church’s solidarity.

Pope Leo concluded by inviting Christians to seek the Kingdom of God by transforming human coexistence into “a space of fraternity and dignity for all, without exception”, praying that Mary guide believers in this new way of thinking rooted in God’s love, which “builds up, forgives, consoles, and heals”.

Pope at Mass Urges World Leaders to Heed Cry of the Poor: ‘No Peace Without Justice’

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