Today, World Day of the Poor, Prevost had lunch with 1,300 poor and marginalised people. Homily in St Peter's Basilica: “There can be no peace without justice”. After the Angelus, sorrow for the attacks in “tormented Ukraine”: “Victims and wounded, including children”. On Christians discriminated against around the world: “Called to bear witness to the truth”.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Unlike in recent months, due to the numerous Jubilee events, today, World Day of the Poor, Pope Leo XIV appeared at the window of the Vatican Apostolic Palace at noon for the Angelus.

‘I thank all those in dioceses and parishes who have promoted initiatives of solidarity with the most disadvantaged,’ he said. ‘I return the apostolic exhortation Dilexi te, I loved you, on love for the poor, a document that Pope Francis was preparing in the last months of his life and which I completed with great joy.’

At these words, in memory of the late pontiff, applause rose from the numerous faithful present in St. Peter's Square.

Today, Pope Leo XIV had lunch with about 1,300 vulnerable people in the Paul VI Hall, following Bergoglio's custom. Today's event was organised by the community of St. Vincent, 400 years after the birth of its founder.

Marginalised people, including a delegation from the transgender community accompanied by Don Andrea Canoccia and Sr. Genevieve Jeanningros, who had a bond of affection and friendship with Pope Francis.

‘Poverty challenges Christians, but it also challenges all those who have positions of responsibility in society,’ he said this morning in his homily during Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. His exhortation to the leaders of the nations of the world is to ‘listen to the cry of the poorest.’

‘There can be no peace without justice, and the poor remind us of this in many ways, through their migration as well as their cry, which is so often stifled,’ he said.

‘We cannot get used to war and destruction!’ said Prevost after reciting the Marian prayer. The pontiff expressed “pain” at the news of the attacks on ‘tormented Ukraine,’ which ‘are causing casualties and injuries, including children, and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure. Leaving families homeless as the cold advances.’

‘Let us pray together for a just and stable peace,’ he added. Another round of applause broke out as soon as Pope Francis uttered the almost inevitable expression in his international appeals, often repeated in his speeches: ‘tormented Ukraine’.

Before the Angelus, commenting on the Gospel of the day (Lk 21:5-19), he said: ‘Jesus' words attest that the disasters and sorrows of history have an end. While the joy of those who recognise him as the Saviour is destined to last forever.’

After the Marian prayer, he returned to his words: ‘Even today, in various parts of the world, Christians suffer discrimination and persecution.’ The Pope cited ‘Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan.’

But it is also from other countries around the world, including Asia, that ‘news of attacks on communities and places of worship’ is coming. ‘God is a merciful father and wants peace among all his children,’ added Pope Leo XIV in his speech after the Angelus.

He assured his prayers for the families in Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, where a terrorist attack in the village of Byambwe caused 20 victims. ‘Let us pray that all violence will cease and that believers will work together for the common good.’

Prevost then recalled ‘his’ Peru, praying for the 37 victims of a road accident in the south of the country, where a bus plunged into a ravine near the town of Ocoña. "On this day, we also remember all those who have died in road accidents, too often caused by irresponsible behaviour. Let everyone examine their conscience on this matter,‘ added Leo XIV.

He then recalled the Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse, observed today by the Italian Church. The Pope's support for this initiative is ’so that a culture of respect may grow, as a guarantee of the protection of the dignity of every person, especially minors and the most vulnerable," said the Pope.

Before the Angelus, Leo XIV recalled that ‘the persecution of Christians, in fact, does not only happen with weapons and mistreatment, but also with words, that is, through lies and ideological manipulation.’

And - recalling the words of Jesus, who in today's Gospel says, ‘By your perseverance you will save your lives’ - he continued: ‘Especially when we are oppressed by these evils, physical and moral, we are called to bear witness to the truth that saves the world, to the justice that redeems peoples from oppression, to the hope that shows everyone the way to peace.’

The Augustinian pontiff added: ‘Let us not remain powerless in the face of pain, because He himself gives us words and wisdom. And to always do good with a burning heart.’ Starting with the example of the martyrs, who remind us ‘that God's grace is capable of transfiguring even violence into a sign of redemption.’