A call to care for migrants and refugees
In a profound and timely exhortation, Dilexi te, Leo XIV brings to completion the vision of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who had devoted himself to shedding light on the Church’s duty toward the poorest and most marginalized members of society. This foundational document emphasizes the call to care for migrants and refugees, who have become symbols both of the condition of those deprived of everything and of the Christian duty to respond with love and charity.
It is the legacy of Pope Bergoglio, who spent the final months of his life preparing an apostolic exhortation that articulated the Church’s responsibility toward the poor and the marginalized, with particular attention to migrants and refugees—individuals often pushed to the edges of society, much like the lepers of biblical times.
As Leo XIV notes in the introduction, this concern is essential for understanding the mission of the Church: a mission that entails both compassion and action toward those most in need.
The Pope sets forth a central message that resonates throughout Christian teaching: the intrinsic connection between the love of Christ and His call to care for the poor. He notes that Pope Francis’ desire was for Christians around the world to understand this connection. The exhortation goes on to emphasize that works of charity are not merely optional, but represent “the beating heart of the Church’s mission.”
Highlighting the Incarnation, in which Christ embraced poverty, the Pope invites all men and women of goodwill to recognize the richness of divine love available to all who serve the less privileged.
In a broader understanding of poverty, Leo XIV extends the concept beyond mere financial deprivation. His reflections reveal various forms of poverty. Starting with material poverty: those who lack the basic means of survival. Moving to social marginalization: individuals who, due to various factors, are denied recognition of their dignity and capacities. Then moral and spiritual poverty: an ever-growing gap in ethical understanding or spiritual fulfillment. Next, cultural poverty: the deprivation of cultural rights and expressions. Finally, the deprivation of rights: people who are denied fundamental human rights, autonomy, and freedom.
This expansive vision challenges Christians to embrace a compassionate and holistic approach to addressing the needs of all who are poor, particularly in an era when economic inequalities continue to worsen.
In our love for God and for the poor, the Pope insists on a twofold call to action: love for God must manifest in love for the poor. He stresses that these two aspects of love are distinct yet inseparable, underscoring the theological principle that true faith must translate into social action.
The exhortation reiterates the need for both doctrinal integrity and mercy, encouraging Christians and all believers to engage deeply in both prayer and service as integral components of their faith. In doing so, it recalls the wisdom of monastic tradition, stressing that “prayer and charity, silence and service, cells and hospitals form one single spiritual fabric.” This moving reminder places the Church’s charitable mission firmly at the heart of Christian spirituality.
The Church’s attitude of service is one of the most striking paradoxes presented by Leo XIV, who states: “When the Church bends down to care for the poor, it takes on its highest position.” This idea encapsulates the full spectrum of the Church’s mission, from the prophetic traditions of the Old Testament to the present day, linking the act of humility in service with the divine call to lift up the oppressed, those who have been marginalized.
It is precisely in the care of migrants and refugees that, after exploring the fundamental principles of charity, the apostolic exhortation specifically calls for a renewed commitment toward them, as they are often on the front lines of social abandonment. The contemporary global landscape is marked by vast movements of people fleeing war, persecution, and socioeconomic inequalities. These individuals require not only material support but also the sincere solidarity of the Church, which is called to respond to their plight.
The call to action is clear: Christians have the moral obligation to reach out to these vulnerable populations, embodying Christ’s teachings through their actions. In doing so, they not only address material needs but also reaffirm the dignity and value of every person.
This exhortation to all men and women of goodwill serves as an important reminder of the enduring mission of the Church: to foster an inclusive environment in which Christ’s love illuminates the path toward justice and service for all. As the Church continues to confront the reality of poverty, particularly among migrants and refugees, Dilexi te offers both guidance and inspiration.
Leo XIV has effectively taken up the mantle left by Pope Francis, urging believers to deepen their understanding of the link between faith and action, thus cultivating a world where love, compassion, and justice prevail.
In the complex landscape of contemporary society, let us listen to the call of the apostolic exhortation, embracing both our spiritual duties and the needs of the most vulnerable, affirming through our actions that our love for God is intrinsically tied to our love for our neighbor—especially the least among us.
Fray Luke Gregory – Franciscan friar of Custody the Holy Land
