Sunday 17 November is the 8th World Day of the Poor

By Maria Lucia Ercole On Nov 11, 2024

The World Day of Poor (WDP) is an annual celebration observed by the Church on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time since 2017

It was established by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter, Misericordia et Misera, issued on 20 November 2016 to celebrate the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. World Day of Poor serves as an occasion to express concern for all the poor people and “to prepare for the celebration of the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, who identified with the little ones and the poor and who will judge us on our works of mercy (cf. Mt 25:31-46)” as reported in Francis’ Apostolic Letter.

In 2024, the WDMR will be celebrated on November 17 and the Holy Father will preside, as usual, at Mass in the Vatican in St. Peter’s Basilica. This will be followed by the traditional lunch with poor people in the Paul VI Hall, organized, as last year, by the Dicastery for Charity, while the Dicastery for Evangelization will provide for the needs of the neediest through various charitable initiatives.

Pope Francis has chosen a particularly significant motto for this year dedicated to prayer, given that the day will be celebrated shortly before the beginning of the Jubilee Year of 2025: “The prayer of the poor rises up to God” (cf Sir 21.5).

In his Message for 8th World Day poor, presented on 13rd June 2024, Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Patron of the Poor, Pope Francis urges everyone to become pilgrims of hope, setting tangible goals for a better future. Let us not forget to keep “the little details of love” (Gaudete et Exsultate, 145): stopping, drawing near, giving a little attention, a smile, a caress, a word of comfort.”