Pope Leo XIV's recent Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te (October 2025), reminds us that encountering those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged is central to living out the Gospel, and it calls on all members of the Church to respond with solidarity, compassion, and practical action.
In keeping with this call, the Jesuits’ mission continues to be guided by the Universal Apostolic Preferences, which set out priorities for our work around the world. One of the four preferences calls Jesuits to “walk with the poor, the outcasts of the world, those whose dignity has been violated, in a mission of reconciliation and justice,” reflecting a commitment to putting the Gospel into action through care, accompaniment, and advocacy.
In Britain, Jesuits and our mission partners embody this call through practical initiatives that support those most in need:
Jesuit Missions supports education and development projects in Africa and Asia, focusing on empowering local communities to build a more just and sustainable future.
Paul Chitnis, Director of Jesuit Missions, said: “On Eradication of Poverty Day, we remember the millions of people living in poverty in countries around the world where Jesuit Missions is working, as well as those in Britain.”
The Jesuit Fund for Social Justice (JFSJ) backs grassroots projects addressing homelessness, debt, and social exclusion across the country.
Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS UK) accompanies and advocates for refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, particularly those who have been detained or made destitute. They provide practical support and work to ensure that the most vulnerable are not forgotten.
Locally, Jesuit parishes across Britain are actively engaged in outreach to homeless individuals, offering support through night shelters, hot meals, and essential services, embodying our commitment to serve those in need.
For those wishing to better understand Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te (October 2025), and its call to stand with the poor, Thinking Faith has published a helpful article by Christine Allen. The piece explores how the Pope’s message challenges Christians to go beyond charitable acts and address the structural causes of poverty and exclusion, highlighting that responding to the poor is both an expression of faith and a commitment to justice. Read the full article on Thinking Faith here.
Join us in prayer, hold the poor in your heart, and, if you can, share in this mission through your practical support. Your generosity helps us stand alongside those most in need, bringing hope, dignity, and care into their lives.
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Banner photo by José Ramírez on Unsplash
