Pope Leo, in his first major document as pontiff, on Thursday urged the world’s Catholics to support immigrants and reform an unequal global economic system. The 104-page text, titled Dilexi te, was released October 9 and builds on a draft begun by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
In the document, the first U.S.-born pope calls for sweeping changes to the global market to address rising inequality and alleviate the suffering of those living paycheck to paycheck—especially migrants and the poor. The text criticizes what he called “trickle-down” economic policies and emphasizes the Church’s role in welcoming vulnerable populations.
The exhortation shows Leo’s continuity with Francis’s social justice priorities while still in Leo’s voice. Pope Leo opens by saying he is pleased to take up the document and make it his own, adding reflections at the start of his pontificate. The exhortation takes its title from the Latin phrase “I have loved you.”
A large portion of the text addresses migration. Leo echoes Francis’s “four verbs” approach—welcome, protect, promote, integrate—and frames migrants as embodying Christ knocking at the door of communities. He writes, “Where the world sees threats … she builds bridges.”
On economics, Leo warns that theories justifying current inequality ignore its moral costs. He dismisses the idea that free markets will automatically uplift the vulnerable and calls for structural reforms. The poor, he argues, should not be treated merely as objects of charity as they are also teachers of the Gospel.
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He references historical Church teaching and situates Dilexi te within a doctrinal tradition that includes John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis.
The text was formally signed by Leo on October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, before its public release. A press conference to present the document is scheduled in Vatican City at noon (Rome time) on October 9.
Observers note that Leo’s style has been more reserved than Francis’s, but this document already references sharp criticism of past approaches to immigration and economics, for example, Francis’s earlier criticisms of U.S. border wall policies. Conservative Catholics have already expressed concern over Leo’s more outspoken tone on global justice issues.
Over the coming days, the Vatican’s press office will host explanation sessions with church officials to help dioceses worldwide interpret and apply Dilexi te.