Pope Leo condemns economies that marginalize the poor while the wealthy live in a bubble of luxury [View all]
Source: AP
By NICOLE WINFIELD
Updated 11:53 AM CDT, October 9, 2025
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VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Leo XIV criticized how the wealthy live in a bubble of comfort and luxury while poor people suffer on the margins, confirming in his first teaching document that he is in perfect lockstep with his predecessor Pope Francis on matters of social and economic injustice.
The Vatican on Thursday released the document, entitled I have loved you, which Francis had begun to write in his final months but never finished. Leo, who was elected in May, credited Francis with the text, cited him repeatedly, but said he had made the document his own and signed it.
The 100-page document traces the history of Christianitys constant concern for poor people, from Biblical citations and the teaching of church fathers to the preaching of recent popes about caring for migrants, prisoners and victims of human trafficking.
Leo credits especially womens religious orders with carrying out Gods mandate to care for the sick, feed the poor and welcome the stranger, and also praised lay-led popular movements advocating for land, housing and work for the societys most disadvantaged.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/vatican-poor-pope-leo-francis-wealth-elite-fb63ece4f0c302c7a321a09da52374ac