On the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, October 4, 2025, Pope Leo XIV published his first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te, a major text dedicated to love for the poor.
Fr. Michael Simo Tengo, SCJ, a theologian in Dublin, wrote a reflection on Dilexi te, in which he outlines nine major points in the document. He begins by noting that the title refers to a verse from the Book of Revelation: “I have loved you.” The exhortation is the completion of work begun by Pope Francis as a follow up to Dilexit nos and focuses on the Church’s social teachings and the theme of Vatican II. Pope Leo closes by calling for personal involvement in the transformation of structures of injustice.
Click here to read Fr. Michael’s text on the general website.
