HOW PONTIFF LEO SAYS FOR WORLD DAY OF THE POOR: TURN DEBT INTO HOPE, PREVENT AI MANIPULATION FOR YOUTH....
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Posted By: agnes levine on November 16, 2025 For Immediate Release From Vatican News! (A Twenty-Minute Read) 'Turn Debt Into Hope' For World Day Of The Poor On the ninth World Day of the Poor, the European Laudato Si’ Alliance calls on the EU to address the global debt crisis affecting the most vulnerable. Through its “Turn Debt into Hope” campaign, the alliance urges fair, transparent solutions to reduce poverty and promote justice. By Linda Bordoni As the Church marks the ninth World Day of the Poor, the European Laudato Si’ Alliance (ELSiA) is urging the European Union to take action to address the global debt crisis, which is undermining poverty eradication efforts and threatening sustainable development across the Global South. Formed in 2018, ELSiA is a network of seven Catholic organisations, including Caritas Europa, working together to bring Pontiff Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’ to life in Europe. The alliance’s mission, says Luisa Fondello, Senior International Cooperation Officer at Caritas Europa, is “to promote ecological justice based on the social teaching of the Church,” both through policy advocacy and practical initiatives for sustainable lifestyles. “We created the alliance to ensure that the vision of Laudato si’ - care for creation and care for the poor - becomes concrete in European policies and in the daily lives of communities,” Fondello explains. This year’s World Day of the Poor, instituted by Pope Francis in 2017 and reaffirmed by Pope Leo XIV in his first Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te, provides the alliance with an opportunity to renew its appeal to European policymakers to put the dignity of the human person at the centre of economic decisions. The worst debt crisis in history At the heart of ELSiA’s call is the global debt crisis, which, according to Fondello, has reached “the worst in history,” affecting over a hundred low- and middle-income countries. “Right now, 2.4 billion people live in countries that spend more on interest payments on public debt than on healthcare or education,” she says. “That means poverty reduction efforts are being seriously undermined.” Fondello stresses that poverty is not limited to monetary deprivation. It also encompasses access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure, basic elements necessary for human dignity. “If we consider poverty in this broader sense,” she adds, “then it becomes clear that the debt crisis must be at the forefront of the European Union’s agenda.” ELSiA’s statement for the World Day of the Poor calls on the EU to support the creation of a democratic and transparent global debt resolution mechanism, ideally under the auspices of the United Nations. Such a framework, the alliance argues, would ensure that debt negotiations are conducted fairly and with the participation of civil society, prioritising the needs of people rather than financial markets. “Old recipes won’t do” Fondello points out that the current international debt governance is fragmented and often biased in favour of creditors. “There’s no binding mechanism, no common principles, no transparency,” she explains. “Countries in the Global South that cannot pay back their public debt have no democratic space to negotiate fair solutions.” That is why ELSiA is calling for what it terms a “transformative approach”. “Old recipes or the status quo really won’t do,” Fondello insists. “We need a new global framework where both borrowers and creditors are accountable, where debt relief is linked to human development and environmental sustainability.” A Jubilee Call For Justice Fondello places the alliance’s appeal within the context of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, a time traditionally associated with reconciliation and renewal. She notes that Pope Francis himself had called for “debt forgiveness” for poor nations as part of the Jubilee spirit - a message now echoed by Pope Leo XIV. “We would like the European Union to take this Jubilee year seriously,” she says. “It’s not only a symbolic moment but a concrete opportunity to act. Helping the poor and finding a solution to the debt crisis is a matter of justice before it is even a question of charity.” A Moral Test For Society For Fondello and for ELSiA members, the World Day of the Poor is not just an annual commemoration: it is a moral benchmark. “The way our societies and our policies treat those experiencing poverty, discrimination, and oppression tells us a lot about who we are,” Fondello reflects. “It’s a basic moral test for any society.” The alliance’s statement echoes this conviction, quoting Pope Leo XIV’s call in Dilexi te to “make a decisive and radical choice in favour of the weakest.” It urges EU leaders to recognise the human cost of inaction and to lead in building a multilateral system based on cooperation, inclusion, and shared responsibility. “Teachers and nurses are being sacrificed,” the statement reads, “as vital public services are gutted to repay high-interest loans to rich creditors.” It warns that without reform, debt will continue to fuel inequality, weaken climate action, and stall development, creating a cycle of impoverishment that affects all nations. A Call To Moral Leadership Fondello is adamant that the European Union has both the means and the moral responsibility to act. “The EU can show true leadership by supporting the establishment of a debt resolution framework at the UN level,” she says. “This would be a significant step toward a future where everyone has a home, food, healthcare, and education.” On this World Day of the Poor, ELSiA’s appeal resonates with the Gospel imperative to care for the least among us in a world that “struggles against hunger, poverty, weeping, and suffering by choosing the path of justice and peace.” Turn Debt Into Hope Despite seemingly insurmountable current political and economic challenges, Fondello says she remains hopeful. That’s why, she explains, Caritas Europa and its partners have launch. “We are guided by hope,” she says. “We’ve seen progress this year - more politicians are talking about the debt issue, and there’s growing support from institutions like the African Union for a UN debt resolution mechanism.” Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/... a campaign called Turn Debt into Hope to raise public awareness and build momentum for change. ******** Pope Leo Shares Lunch With The Poor, Recalls People Suffering From War On the Ninth World Day of the Poor, Pope Leo XIV shares lunch with around 1,300 people from around the world, and recalls the many people who suffer due to violence, war, and hunger. By Antonella Palermo In the Paul VI Hall, the sound of Neapolitan melodies mingled with the laughter of 1,300 guests—the poor, the displaced, the forgotten—who had come to share lunch with Pope Leo on the Ninth World Day of the Poor. The dishes served were simple: vegetable lasagna, cutlets, fruit from Naples, and babà for dessert. At one table, a young Missionary of Charity fed a baby from a bottle. Her own plate of lasagna sat cooling on the table. After reciting the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV came to the Hall to have lunch with those gathered there. “With great joy we gather this afternoon for this meal on this Day that was so dearly desired by my beloved predecessor, Pope Francis,” he said. “Let’s have a big round of applause for him.” The Pope thanked the Vincentians for offering the meal. “We are truly, truly full of this spirit of thanksgiving and gratitude for this day,” he added. As he blessed the food, the Pope turned his thoughts to those still suffering around the world. “Let us also offer the Lord’s blessing to the many people who suffer due to violence, war, and hunger,” he said. “May we today celebrate this meal in a spirit of fraternity.” Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ******** Pope Leo XIV: ‘God Desires Peace Among All His Children!’ Pope Leo XIV appeals for an end to discrimination and persecution against Christians, and prays that all violence may cease and believers may work together for the common good. By Devin Watkins As he led the Angelus at noon on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV launched a heartfelt appeal for people who endure the horrors of violence and war. He lamented discrimation and persecution of Christians, condemning attacks on places of worship. “I think especially of Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan, and other countries from which we frequently hear of attacks on communities and places of worship,” he said. “God is a merciful Father who desires peace among all His children!” The Pope expressed his closeness with families in the North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. On Friday evening, terrorists killed around 20 civilians at a Church-run hospital in the village of Byambwe. “Let us pray that all violence may cease and that believers may work together for the common good,” he added. Pope Leo noted that he continues to follow news of attacks against Ukrainian cities, especially Kyiv, which have inflicted serious damage to civilian infrastructure and loss of life. “We must not grow accustomed to war and destruction!” he said. “Let us pray together for a just and lasting peace in war-torn Ukraine.” Prayers for victims of road accidents The Pope also prayed for victims of a serious road accident in southern Peru on Wednesday. At least 37 people died when a bus headed from Chala to Arequipa hit another vehicle and careened into a ravine. “May the Lord welcome the deceased, sustain the injured, and comfort the grieving families,” he said. “We also remember all who have died in road accidents, too often caused by irresponsible behavior. May each of us examine our conscience on this matter.” Italian Church Marks Day of Prayer For Victims of Abuse In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV recalled that the Church in Italy observed Sunday as a Day of Prayer for the Victims and Survivors of Abuse. He prayed that “a culture of respect may grow as a safeguard of the dignity of every person, especially minors and the most vulnerable.” ******* New USCCB President: Immigration Remains Priority For US Bishops Newly elected USCCB President Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City highlights the U.S. Bishops' care for migrants, synodality, and efforts to overcome polarization by being instruments of communion. By Christopher Wells The question of immigration is “a burning issue” for American bishops, Archbishop Paul Coakley told Vatican News in an interview following his election as the new president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The United States’ almost unique situation as a nation of immigrants, a nation “built on migration experience,” drives the Bishops’ need to accompany and support immigrant communities throughout the country, by helping to alleviate their fears and provide the accompaniment they need, the Archbishop said. But beyond support and accompaniment, he continued, there is need for “the proper kind of advocacy,” that involves the Bishops using their influence “to advocate for the good of the nation in terms of welcoming immigrants and helping to ensure that the laws of our nation and the procedures and process within our nation facilitate a smooth migration process for immigrants” – including religious workers who migrate to the United States. In particular, Archbishop Coakley said the U.S. Bishops are working to be attentive to the needs of “our immigrant brothers and sisters,” to tone down the rhetoric surrounding immigration, and “to calm the fears of so many who live in insecurity.” He also highlighted the need for the country to protect its borders and to ensure that “immigration is carried out in an orderly fashion.” With those concerns in mind, Archbishop Coakley said the Bishops want to reassure immigrants as well as citizens in the face of fear and uncertainty. “Our goal,” he said, “is to accompany our migrant brothers and sisters, but also to work to enact just laws governing immigration and to ensure that those who need to be in the country are able to remain with their families.” Agents And Instruments Of Communion Asked about how the U.S Bishops can help to heal divisions in the country, the new USCCB president said they are working to follow Pope Leo’s lead “in helping to be agents and instruments of communion that will set an example in our society, in our country, that will help stand against the tendency toward increased polarization.” He pointed to the need to listen to one another and to learn to communicate with one another on the basis of mutual respect and charity. “Disagreement will always be a part of human relations and relations in the Church and within the College of Bishops,” he admitted. “But to disagree with reverence and respect, and to listen to one another – I think that’s very much a part of the whole focus on synodality that not only Pope Leo, but certainly Pope Francis before him, has been urging us to walk in this new way.” Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/... ******** Pope: Cinema Is More Than A Screen; It Sets Hope In Action Pope Leo XIV welcomes actors, filmmakers, directors, and scriptwriters for an audience in the Vatican, and challenges them to be “witnesses of hope, beauty and truth” in our world today. By Kielce Gussie The Vatican’s Apostolic Palace was filled with actors, actresses, filmmakers, and script writers on Saturday morning as Pope Leo XIV met with members of the World of Cinema. Nearly 130 years after the first film premiered in Paris in 1895, the Pope highlighted the ongoing importance of film. Moving from impressing audiences with visual effects, cinema became “an expression of the desire to contemplate and understand life, to recount its greatness and fragility and to portray the longing for infinity.” More Than Moving Pictures Pope Leo expressed his gratitude for what cinema represents: “a popular art in the noblest sense, intended for and accessible to all.” More than just entertainment, films offer a narrative into people’s spiritual journey. This, he argued, is cinema's greatest contribution to humanity. It helps “audiences consider their own lives, look at the complexity of their experiences with new eyes and examine the world as if for the first time.” Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ******** A Glimpse At The Just-Released “Leo From Chicago” Here’s a first look at the Vatican’s newly released documentary Leo from Chicago, which explores the roots of Pope Leo XIV and offers never-before-seen footage of Robert Francis Prevost in his native United States. The film features in-depth interviews with his brothers, Louis and John Prevost, and reveals new personal details — including what he looks forward to most on Thanksgiving, and how even as a boy he was able to turn 'an unruly little mob into friends.' By Deborah Castellano Lubov – Chicago Offering a rare and intimate perspective from those who know him best — including Pope Leo XIV’s own brothers, Louis and John — the documentary Leo from Chicago dives deep into who Robert Francis Prevost was and is. “I don’t remember him being fussy. He was like God’s gift to moms,” reflects older brother Louis Prevost, recalling baby Robert during their sit-down interview in Florida. Louis shares stories and family moments never before made public, painting a portrait of their childhood and home life. Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ******** Holy See Reaffirms Support For Two-State Solution And For UNRWA Addressing the United Nations, Archbishop Caccia reaffirms the Holy See’s support for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine and calls for renewed diplomatic efforts for peace and for strengthened backing for UNRWA. By Linda Bordoni Archbishop Gabriele Caccia has reaffirmed the Holy See’s longstanding support for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine and urged the international community to strengthen efforts toward peace, stability, and humanitarian protection in the Middle East. Speaking during the agenda item dedicated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations expressed concern for the “ongoing turmoil in the Middle East,” a region “rich in faith, history and culture, yet still plagued by cycles of division and conflict.” Renewed Call For Dialogue And A Two-State Solution The Archbishop reiterated the Holy See’s position that “Israel and Palestine” must one day be able to “live side by side in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders,” and he pointed out that genuine and lasting progress can only be achieved "through multilateralism, patient dialogue and inclusive cooperation, not through the use of force.” UNRWA’s indispensable humanitarian role Highlighting more than seven decades of UNRWA’s work, Archbishop Caccia praised the Agency’s continued dedication amid mounting challenges. Across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine, he noted, UNRWA “continues to provide emergency relief and comprehensive humanitarian assistance in the form of education, healthcare, food assistance and social services,” with particular attention to “children, women and the elderly,” offering “hope, protection and the possibility of a dignified life.” Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city... ********* COP30: Climate Justice Means A Just Transition Madeleine Wörner from Germany emphasises the importance of transitioning to green, ecological systems but highlights that this must be done in a just way, putting the people first and ensuring that nobody is left behind. By Francesca Merlo - Belém, Brazil Justice is a word that comes up often when we talk about the fight against climate change. AT COP30 in Belém, Catholic organisations, known as National Catholic Climate and Environmental actors, or NCCEAs, are meeting to address themes and issues at the heart of the Catholic mission to fight climate change. They all gathered in meeting room 14 of COP's Blue Zone to meet with the Holy See Delegation. Spokespeople for some of the organisations speak briefly and passionately about some of the hottest topics. Madeleine Wörner from MISEREOR speaks about Just Transition. That, too, is justice. At COP30, amidst the hum of negotiations and the steady rhythm of discussions, the moral and practical urgency of a “just transition" also becomes screamingly obvious and at this COP, the Church is calling for the safeguard of creation while ensuring that no one is left behind. Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/... ******** Pope Leo XIV: Children And Adolescents Are Vulnerable To AI Manipulation Pope Leo XIV warns that young people and children could easily be manipulated by artificial intelligence and insists that 'safeguarding minors' dignity cannot be reduced to policies' and requires 'digital education' when addressing participants in the “The Dignity of Children and Adolescents in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” Conference on Thursday in the Vatican. By Deborah Castellano Lubov Safeguarding the dignity of minors cannot be reduced to policies alone, but requires proper digital education, Pope Leo XIV underscored when addressing participants in the “The Dignity of Children and Adolescents in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” Conference on Thursday in the Vatican. Observing how artificial intelligence is transforming many aspects of our daily lives, including education, entertainment and the safety of minors, he said it "raises important ethical questions, especially concerning the protection of the dignity and wellbeing of minors." The Pope warned that children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to manipulation through AI algorithms that can influence their decisions and preferences. It is essential that parents and educators be aware of these dynamics, and that tools be developed to monitor and guide young people’s interactions with technology. "Governments and international organizations," the Pope stressed, "have a responsibility to design and implement policies that protect the dignity of minors in this era of AI," that he said "includes updating existing data protection laws to address new challenges posed by emerging technologies, and promoting ethical standards for the development and the use of AI." Safeguarding cannot be reduced to policies "Yet safeguarding the dignity of minors cannot be reduced to policies alone; it also requires a digital education," he stressed. Pope Leo recalled the words of Pope Francis, who once remarked in a safeguarding project promoted by three major Catholic associations in Italy that adults must rediscover their vocation as “artisans of education...” The Pope acknowledged how important it is to draft and enforce ethical guidelines, but stressed they are not enough. "What is needed," he instead called for, "are daily, ongoing educational efforts, carried out by adults who themselves are trained and supported by networks of collaboration." The Pope said this process involves understanding the risks that both the use of AI and premature, unlimited and unsupervised digital access may pose to the relationships and development of young people. "Only by taking part in the discovery of such risks and the effects on their personal and social life," the Pope said, "can minors be supported in approaching the digital world as a means of strengthening their ability to make responsible choices for themselves and for others." Must ensure AI serves as an ally and not a threat The Holy Father suggested that this in itself is "a vital exercise in safeguarding human originality and connectedness, which must always be guided by respect for human dignity as a fundamental value." Only by taking an educational, ethical and responsible approach, he said, can we ensure that artificial intelligence serves as an ally, and not a threat, in the growth and development of children and adolescents. Pope Leo concluded by expressing his wish that the conference help lay a solid foundation for our ongoing service to children, young people, and the entire ecclesial and civil community and by imparting God's blessing. **** VISIT: https://www.facebook.com/vaticannews If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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agnes levine
Part-Time Teacher, Baltimore County Public Schools Member Since August 2008 |
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