Pope Leo XIV Urges Leaders to Hear the Poor, Hosts Vatican Lunch for 1,300

The appeal came during the Jubilee of the Poor on the Catholic Church's World Day of the Poor.

Overview

At Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, he denounced poverty and called heads of state to respond to the “cry of the poor.”
After the liturgy, he joined guests for a communal meal in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall and invited applause for Pope Francis.
He asked blessings for people suffering violence, war and hunger and thanked volunteers who serve those in need.
He highlighted moral and spiritual wounds that isolate young people and urged the faithful to be attentive to those on the margins.
Rome hosted additional community initiatives for people in poverty alongside the Jubilee observances.