Pope Leo’s Summons to Charity

Nov. 1, 2025

At the heart of the Gospel, and of Blessed Michael McGivney’s founding vision, is the call to love Christ in the poor

By Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

Nov. 1, 2025

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

Two days before receiving the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors in audience, Pope Leo XIV published Dilexi Te (I Have Loved You), an apostolic exhortation on love for the poor. During our meeting with the Holy Father, the supreme knight and I assured him that we would take his teaching to heart and share it widely throughout the Order.

As I read and reflected on the exhortation, I saw in the pope’s words the spiritual vision of Blessed Michael McGivney. Pope Leo does not mention Father McGivney by name, but he describes him to a T. At the same time, the Holy Father challenges us to live our principle of charity more robustly.

Like his predecessor Pope Francis, Pope Leo teaches that love for the poor and marginalized lies at the heart of our Catholic faith. God’s preferential love for the poor is inscribed throughout the pages of Scripture — and expressed fully in the person of Jesus Christ. St. Paul tells us that, for our sake, Christ “became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9). The Gospels tell us that Jesus had nowhere to lay his head (cf. Mt 8:20). When Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are poor” (Lk 6:20), he was revealing himself to us. Indeed, Christ taught that whatever we do for those in need, we do for him (cf. Mt 25:40).

Second, Pope Leo shows that ancient Christian writers and the founders of religious communities firmly linked faith and worship to care for the poor. One cannot enter into Christ’s sacrifice worthily while ignoring those in need. To unite ourselves worthily with him in the Eucharist, we must love him in the poor. So too, Blessed Michael McGivney made charity the cornerstone of the Knights of Columbus. Care for widows and orphans, and love for the outcast, were hallmarks of his ministry and of our Order. By word and example, he taught that love for the poor is at the heart of our faith. His care for those in need flowed seamlessly from preaching and celebrating the sacraments.

Third, Pope Leo speaks of different forms of poverty: the material poverty of those lacking life’s necessities; the poverty of the immigrant and outcast; and the spiritual poverty of those who possess worldly goods but lack faith. Father McGivney also recognized these forms of poverty: widows and orphans left without means; Irish and Catholic immigrants who were marginalized; a man condemned to death; and parishioners who were lukewarm in practicing their faith. Like the great saints, Father McGivney not only saw these forms of poverty — he addressed them. In founding the Knights of Columbus, he provided support for widows and orphans. He helped men practice their faith more ardently. In his charity, Father McGivney changed society — and even the course of history.

The poor are not statistics or problems to be solved. They are persons created in God’s image and endowed with dignity. They have names, faces, a personal history and destiny.

Fourth, Pope Leo reminds us that love for the poor means respecting their dignity and individuality. The poor are not statistics or problems to be solved. They are persons created in God’s image and endowed with dignity. They have names, faces, a personal history and destiny. Ever the parish priest, Father McGivney knew and loved the poor by name. For him, they were not objects of pity but subjects of love flowing from the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In living our principle of charity, we are privileged to serve the poor — to know, respect and love them as persons.

One final point. Loving the poor, Pope Leo teaches, is not a one-way street. “In giving, we receive.” From the poor we receive not only gratitude but also insight into the depth of God’s love for each person. In them, we meet Jesus. We are spiritually enriched. Indeed, Blessed Michael McGivney’s holiness is unthinkable apart from his love for those in need. So too for us!

Metal bucket at draw-well in European village.

Pope Leo’s Summons to Charity

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