Pope Francis expressed his concern about social injustice and the lack of assistance to the most needy during a diocesan assembly in Rome. In his speech, he lamented that Christians who help the poor are still stigmatized as 'communists.' He criticized the hypocrisy of a society that wastes food while there are families without access to it, homeless people, and inequalities in access to medical care.
The pontiff urged the Church to engage in a more direct and humane way in helping the poor, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and empathy. He referred to the need to adopt an approach that puts needy people at the center, recognizing them as brothers who deserve dignity and respect.
Francis pointed out the contradictions of a society that wastes resources while some suffer basic shortages. He called for not seeing the poor as mere statistics, but as human beings with stories and faces that need to be cared for and heard. He emphasized the importance of looking into the eyes of those being helped, recognizing in them the presence of Christ in need.
During the assembly, the pope listened to testimonies from residents of peripheral areas of Rome who shared their experiences of poverty and marginalization. He concluded his intervention by highlighting the urgency of addressing poverty as an ecclesial and social priority, calling for concrete action and a solid commitment to combat inequalities and improve the lives of the most vulnerable.