Pope Leo XIV gratefully uses the last encyclical letter his predecessor wrote as a preface for the first official “exhortation” of his pontificate. Pope Francis published his letter on October 24, 2024 under the title Dilexit nos. (As is the custom, the title of a papal document is taken from the first two words of the Latin version.) The title is “He loved us” and it refers to a passage from St Paul’s letter to the Romans (8:37). Leo XIV’s exhortation is entitled Dilexi te which translates “I have loved you” from Revelations 3:19. The titles of these two documents alone tell of how Leo XIV sees himself as one called to continue in the footsteps of Francis even as he puts his own stamp upon the role of Bishop of Rome.
Leo XIV takes up Francis’ vision of “a church of the poor and for the poor”. It was the inspiration behind choosing the name “Francis” and it remained with him throughout his pontificate. But it also underpinned his vision of mission. Possibly as a legacy of his papacy, Francis closes his encyclical with an insightful reflection on mission. “Mission, as a radiation of the love of the heart of Christ, requires missionaries who are themselves in love and who, enthralled by Christ, feel bound to share this love that has changed their lives.” (Dilexit nos, n. 209)
In his opening remarks, Leo XIV writes, in reference to Francis’ encyclical, “I am happy to make this document my own - adding some reflections and to issue it at the beginning of my own pontificate, since I share the desire of my beloved predecessor that all Christians come to appreciate the close connection between Christ’s love and his summons to care for the poor.”
This is a profoundly humble acknowledgement of how grateful Leo XIV is to Francis and a sense of responsibility for ensuring continuity in the task of guiding all Christians in our call to missionary discipleship.
As he commences to introduce his own reflections on the biblical call to listen to the cry of the poor, Leo XIV recalls how “Pope Francis, (in) explaining his choice of that name, related how, after his election, a Cardinal friend of his embraced him, kissed him and told him: ‘Do not forget the poor!’” (Dilexi te, n. 6)
It is in this context that Pope Leo XIV goes on to explain why the poor are central to our understanding of the history of salvation, the nature of church and the call to continue the mission of Jesus Christ. His letter includes a “litany” of saints, men and women who have carried out the call to mission. He also focuses briefly on two particular groups of people, the sick and migrants.
His final words are worth quoting, “By its very nature, Christian love is prophetic: it works miracles and knows no limits. It makes what was apparently impossible happen. Love is above all a way of looking at life and a way of living it. A Church that sets no limits to love, that knows no enemies to fight but only men and women to love, is the Church that the world needs today.” (ibid, no. 120)
Fr Tom Rouse
Regional Councillor of Oceania
Mission Intentions
January - For prayer with the word of God: Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.s pray for migrants, refugees and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.
February - For children with incurable diseases: Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope
Listen to "Mission World - Don't forget the poor"
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - January/February 2026
