World Day of the Poor

Each year, the Church is called to listen to the cry of the poor and empower those who have been trapped in cycles of poverty. This year World Day of the Poor falls on Sunday 16 November. Pope Leo has written a message with the theme “You are my hope”.

Poverty is driven by many factors – a lot of them structural inequalities that have existed for centuries. Pope Leo writes:

Helping the poor is a matter of justice before a question of charity. As Saint Augustine observed: “You give bread to a hungry person; but it would be better if none were hungry, so that you would have no need to give it away. You clothe the naked, but would that all were clothed and that there be no need for supply this lack”.

The World Day of the Poor is an annual opportunity for people to come together, reflect on how to help those in need, and take action to end cycles of poverty. The New Zealand Catholic Bishops have entrusted this day to Caritas because of our work to alleviate poverty around the world. Pope Leo has called for initiatives “to support and assist the poorest of the poor” this Jubilee Year, and taking part in our Turn Debt Into Hope campaign is one way to put this into action.

World Day of the Poor is a time to turn need into hope, and hope into action.

Join Caritas for World Day of the Poor 2025.