Pope Leo XIV urges protection for the poor and migrant children

Pope Leo XIV addressed the 10th World Day of the Poor on 15 November 2026, calling the poor "the refuge of the Lord" and condemning social injustice, corruption and oppression. He urged solidarity, emphasizing that the poor are entitled to dignity and divine protection.

On 19 June, the Pope marked the 112th World Day of the Migrant and Refugee in Brazil, highlighting the vulnerability of migrant children. He quoted Scripture – “Whoever receives a child in my name receives me” (Matt 18:5) – and called for a Christian response that sees each child as a face of Christ, demanding dignity, solidarity, and the Church’s preferential option for the poor.