VIII Giornata Mondiale dei Poveri

The eighth edition of the World Day of the Poor will be celebrated on Sunday 17 November 2024. The initiative, first proposed in 2017, was desired by Pope Francis to urge the Church to step outside its walls to encounter poverty in the multiple meanings in which it manifests itself in today's world.

This year, in view of the beginning of the Ordinary Jubilee 2025, the Holy Father has chosen as his motto the passage from the Book of Sirach: The prayer of the poor goes up to God (cf. Sir 21:5). This expression, which comes from the ancient sacred author Ben Sira, becomes immediate and easy to understand. The Pope reiterates that the poor have a privileged place in the heart of God, who is attentive and close to each one of them. God listens to the prayer of the poor and, in the face of suffering, becomes impatient until he has done them justice. In fact, the Book of Sirach again attests, God's judgement will be in favour of the poor (cf. 21:5).

As usual, Pope Francis presides the Eucharistic Celebration in St. Peter's Basilica at 10:00 am. Before the Holy Mass, the Holy Father symbolically blesses 13 keys, representing the 13 countries in which the Famvin Homeless Alliance (FHA), of the Vincentian Family, with the 13 Homes for the Jubilee Project, will build new homes for the needy. Among these countries is Syria, whose 13 houses are financed directly by the Holy See as a gesture of charity for the Holy Year. This great act of solidarity has been made possible thanks to a generous donation by UnipolSai, which enthusiastically wished to contribute in the run-up to the Holy Year to this sign of hope for a land still battered by war. Afterwards, in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father had lunch together with 1,300 poor people. The lunch, organised by the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, is offered this year by the Italian Red Cross and is entertained by their National Fanfare. At the end of lunch, each person is given a backpack offered by the Vincentian Fathers (Congregation of the Mission), containing food and personal hygiene products.

The Mother of Mercy Outpatient Clinic, a facility attached to the Dicastery for the Service of Charity that offers free health care to the poor and needy on a daily basis, remains open during the week of 11 to 16 November from 8 am to 5 pm. A doctor's on-call service, internal medicine and flu vaccinations, blood tests, swabs and dressings are carried out daily. All services are free of charge and reserved for those living in situations of poverty, marginalisation or difficulty; the necessary medicines and therapies are also always guaranteed. There are specialist doctors from 18 different specialities. The specialist examinations offered during the week include: cardiology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, general surgery, rheumatology, dermatology, dentistry, gynaecology, pulmonology, otorhinolaryngology, oncology, ultrasound, urology, psychiatry, neurology, infectious diseases, gastroenterology, nephrology, podiatry.

The Dicastery for Evangelisation provides for the needs of the neediest with various charitable initiatives, including, for example, the payment of bills for the poorest families through contacts with parishes. An initiative made possible through the traditional generosity of UnipolSai. In the week leading up to the Day, all parish and diocesan communities are called upon to focus their pastoral activities on the needs of the poor in their neighbourhoods through concrete signs.

In keeping with tradition, the Dicastery for Evangelisation has prepared a Pastoral Resource Book, translated into six languages, which is offered to the People of God so that, in the words of H.E. Archbishop Rino Fisichella: May World Youth Day be a permanent provocation for our communities to be attentive and welcoming to those in greatest need and difficulty. And he continues: On this journey towards the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025, may our attention to those most in need make us all Pilgrims of Hope in the world that needs to be illuminated by the presence of Light.

In his Message, Pope Francis invites everyone to learn to pray for the poor and to pray together with them, with humility and confidence. World Day of the Poor is an opportunity to become aware of the presence of the poor in our cities and communities and to understand their needs. As always, the Pope also mentions the new poor, who arise from the violence of wars, from bad politics made with weapons (no. 4), which causes so many innocent victims.

Let us not forget, however, the volunteers who in our cities continue to dedicate a large part of their time to listening to and supporting the poorest. They are concrete faces who, by their example, ‘give voice to God's answer to the prayer of those who turn to Him’ (n.7). World Day of the Poor is also an occasion to remember each one of them and to thank the Lord.