Pope Leo XIV, addressing the world’s poverty, said, “There can be no peace without justice,” urging national leaders to listen to the voices of the poor.

AFP reported that the Pope made these remarks on the 16th (local time) while presiding over a Mass for the ‘Jubilee of the Poor’ at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The Jubilee of the Poor is one of the events held during a Jubilee year, when pilgrims from around the world visit the Vatican. A Jubilee is a holy year in the Catholic Church that grants the faithful special spiritual graces.

The Pope said, “Migration and the tears of the poor constantly remind us of the fact (that there can be no peace without justice),” and pointed out that “the myth of welfare and progress that fails to include everyone forgets countless individuals and abandons them to their fate.” He also mentioned the “many states of moral·spiritual poverty” that go beyond material deprivation and lead to isolation. The Pope said the Church is “still deeply wounded by old and new forms of poverty,” and urged the faithful to “listen more attentively to others and extend a hand to the poor.” He then appealed to leaders of nations, saying, “You must heed the cries of the poorest.”

After the Mass, the Pope shared a lunch of lasagna and cutlets with more than 1,300 people, including the homeless, vulnerable groups, people with disabilities, and refugees, at the Paul VI Hall. The Vatican also invited about 50 transgender women to the event.

In the sixth month of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has made social justice his core priority. Across Rome that day, various events were held to help the poor.