The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo will publish his first official document as pontiff on October 9, 2025. The apostolic exhortation, titled “Dilexi te” (He loved you), will focus on the needs of the world’s poor, signaling the new pope’s priorities for the global Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion members.
According to Vatican officials, the document builds on a project originally started by Pope Francis, who passed away in April 2025 after 12 years of leading the Church. Francis’ final encyclical, “Dilexit nos” (He loved us), was released in October 2024 and emphasized spiritual themes while urging Catholics to turn away from the “mad pursuit” of wealth.
Pope Leo, elected on May 8, 2025, as the first U.S. pope, formally signed “Dilexi te” on October 4, the Catholic feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. The timing holds symbolic significance, given St. Francis’ lifelong commitment to poverty and care for the marginalized.
By choosing a title that echoes Francis’ final work, Pope Leo is expected to highlight continuity with his predecessor’s vision. While the Vatican has not released specific details, Church insiders suggest the exhortation will emphasize solidarity with the poor, a central theme of Francis’ papacy.
Francis was known for rejecting papal luxuries and frequently dining with Rome’s homeless. He openly criticized global economic systems that left the vulnerable behind. Pope Leo’s first document is anticipated to continue this call for compassion, urging Catholics to embrace service over materialism.
The release of “Dilexi te” marks a defining moment for Pope Leo’s early leadership. As he takes up the mantle of guiding the Catholic Church, this exhortation will likely set the tone for his papacy, reflecting a vision rooted in care for the world’s poor and spiritual renewal.
