Pope Francis Hosts 1,300 of Rome’s Poor for Special Lunch at Vatican

Vatican city, November 19, 2024: Pope Francis welcomed 1,300 impoverished individuals from Rome to the Vatican for a special lunch in the Paul VI Audience Hall on November 17, marking the Church’s World Day of the Poor. The event, themed “The Prayer of the Poor Ascends to God,” highlighted the Pope’s ongoing commitment to solidarity and compassion. The Italian Red Cross provided the meal, while 340 volunteers assisted in serving the guests.

During the Angelus preceding the lunch, Pope Francis urged the faithful to reflect on their own acts of charity, asking, “Do I go without something in order to give it to the poor?” He emphasized that the poor must never be overlooked, stating, “The poor cannot wait.”

The banquet, organized by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, Papal Almoner and Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, aimed to restore dignity to the disadvantaged. Cardinal Krajewski explained that this annual gesture is inspired by Jesus’ example. Rosario Valastro, president of an organization assisting the homeless, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of small acts of kindness in recognizing the humanity of those living on society’s margins.

The menu featured lasagna with vegetables, beef meatloaf stuffed with spinach and cheese, mashed potatoes, fruit and dessert. Each guest received a backpack from the Vincentian Fathers, containing food and personal hygiene products.

In tandem with the lunch, charitable initiatives led by the Dicastery for Evangelization provided support throughout the week. Efforts included the payment of bills for struggling families, courtesy of the UnipolSai insurance company, and free medical care for nearly 1,000 people at the Madre di Misericordia outpatient clinic.

The event also coincided with the presentation of Caritas Italiana’s 28th Report on Poverty and Social Exclusion in Italy. The report revealed that over 5.6 million Italians live in absolute poverty, representing 9.7% of the population. Pope Francis called on parishes and diocesan communities to prioritize the needs of the poor in their pastoral activities, underscoring the Church’s commitment to addressing poverty through concrete actions.

This gathering exemplified Pope Francis’ vision of a Church rooted in compassion, offering hope and dignity to society’s most vulnerable.

Courtesy: Vatican News