Pope Francis shares meal with the poor

Pope Francis had lunch with around 1,300 poor from Rome on Sunday.

The meal was part of several Vatican-sponsored initiatives marking the 6th annual World Day of the Poor, including a free mobile medical clinic in St. Peter’s Square.

After two years off due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the free lunch was again offered in the Paul VI Hall for people in Rome living in poverty.

Pope Francis has always joined the meal — which began in 2017 during the first World Day of the Poor; he spends time in conversation with those at his table and he greets others who approach him.

Throughout his pontificate, Francis has placed a strong emphasis on concrete outreach to those in need.

He has spoken often about those at the margins of society and condemned what he has called a “throwaway culture” which neglects people it finds inconvenient or a burden.

At Mass on Nov. 13, the pope said: “We should always repeat this to ourselves, especially at times of greatest trouble: God is a Father, and he is at my side. He knows and loves me; he does not sleep, but watches over me and cares for me. If I stay close to him, not a hair of my head will perish.”

“And how do I respond to this?” he added. “By looking at our brothers and sisters in need; by looking at the throw away culture that discards the poor and people with few possibilities; a culture that discards the old and unborn… by looking at all of them; as a Christian, what should I do in this moment?”