Guide Examines Pope Leo’s Teaching on Loving People Impacted by Poverty, and How We Are Called to Address Poverty
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; November 19, 2025
Washington, D.C.—Dilexi Te, the recently published document by Pope Leo XIV on love for people impacted by poverty, is the focus of a new resource from NETWORK Advocates for Catholic Social Justice.
“Dilexi Te Reflection Guide: On Pope Leo XIV’s call to end poverty and build a future where everyone thrives” explores the pope’s teaching chapter by chapter, offering summaries, key quotes from the pope, reflections, and questions. The pope signed Dilexi Te on October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of poverty. In it, Pope Leo echoes the words of Pope Francis, stating, “We must continue, then, to denounce the ‘dictatorship of an economy that kills.’”
“Pope Leo’s words are sustenance for our journey. They inspire us as we seek to ensure that our government officials put human dignity over billionaire greed and deliver what our communities need to thrive,” said NETWORK Executive Director Laurie Carafone in a message to the organization’s field announcing the resource.
NETWORK is working to protect people’s health care, housing, and food, as well as immigrant communities, Carafone said, and added: “As Pope Leo affirms, this work to care for our communities and love our neighbors is at the heart of living our faith.”
The reflection guide connects the Catholic Social Justice teaching that animates NETWORK with the global vision of solidarity and thriving proclaimed by Leo XIV. The pope takes on the “empire of money” and urges that issues must be addressed systemically.
“[A]lmsgiving does not absolve the competent authorities of their responsibilities, eliminate the duty of government institutions to care for the poor, or detract from rightful efforts to ensure justice,” the pope writes. He also notes, “Everyone has the right to possess a sufficient amount of the earth’s goods for themselves and their family.” And he warns that “pseudo-scientific data are invoked to support the claim that a free market economy will automatically solve the problem of poverty.”
“Dilexi Te Reflection Guide” is available online. NETWORK encourages downloading, printing, and distributing copies of the resource.
Founded by Catholic Sisters in 1971, NETWORK is an inclusive, national, Catholic advocacy organization open to all who share our values, working for justice and equity for everyone. For 54 years, NETWORK has educated, organized, and lobbied for federal policies that serve the common good and honor the dignity of all people.
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