WASHINGTON — Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, welcomed the first apostolic exhortation from Pope Leo XIV, Dilexi te, which invites all the faithful to renew their commitment and closeness to the poor.

“In the first apostolic exhortation from Pope Leo XIV, we are consoled and challenged by his message, reminding us of the deep love Christ has for each member of the human family. ‘God’s love is vividly demonstrated by his protection of the weak and the poor,’ our Holy Father writes. Building upon the teachings of his predecessor, Pope Leo XIV has offered us a powerful invitation to reflect on the history of the Church’s service to the poor and urges us to allow it to transform our contemporary lives. The Holy Father reminds us of a simple, life-changing truth: ‘love for our neighbor is tangible proof of the authenticity of our love for God.’ This means that ‘charity is not optional but a requirement of true worship.’

“Our lives must reflect the reality of the ultimate, loving sacrifice of Christ. The Holy Father calls upon each of us to respond to a world that is marked by indifference, division, and apathy, especially when directed towards the poor and vulnerable. In addressing the challenges of contemporary migration, he encourages us to respond with four actions: welcome, protect, promote, and integrate. This is a sharp contrast to the culture of fear being imposed upon our sisters and brothers in Christ.

“A radical love for Jesus Christ and a sincere desire to worship God is countercultural, and as we continue to unpack the message of Dilexi te, I invite all people to read, reflect, and pray with the message offered by our Holy Father. May it call us to renewal of our Church and society so that we learn to approach each person with the same love Christ has for that person.”

Find more resources to accompany this new exhortation.