2020 World Day of the Poor
Monday, June 22, 2020The Fourth World Day of the Poor will be observed on 15 November 2020. In the message, entitled “Stretch forth your hand to the poor” (Sir 6:7), Pope Francis states: “This year’s theme – ‘Stretch forth your hand to the poor’ – is thus a summons to responsibility and commitment as men and women who are part of our one human family. It encourages us to bear the burdens of the weakest, in accord with the words of Saint Paul: ‘Through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’… Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ’ (Gal 5:13-14; 6:2). The Apostle teaches that the freedom bestowed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ makes us individually responsible for serving others, especially the weakest. This is not an option, but rather a sign of the authenticity of the faith we profess.”
Pope Francis established the World Day of Poor following the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in November 2016.