Poor Church Concept Today

The phrase “Poor Church” — spoken by Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio before his election as Pope — has not only become a slogan but also a program of action for the entire Catholic world. Today, more than a decade after the beginning of Pope Francis’ pontificate, this concept has taken concrete shape. It is not about charity in the classical sense. It is a rethinking of the essence of the church’s mission: not to be an institution for “good Christians,” but to become a space where the poor person feels not an object of assistance, but a subject of change.

From Theory to Practice

Under Pope Francis, the concept of the “Poor Church” has ceased to be an abstract idea and has become a real policy. The Pontiff has settled in the guest house of St. Martha’s instead of luxurious apartments, has refused the papal carriage and expensive robes. But the main thing is not this. He created a special organ — the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, which deals not only with distributing money but also with analyzing the systemic causes of poverty. Francis wrote the apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium,” where he explicitly stated: “I prefer a church that is wounded, soiled, and dirty, because it has gone out onto the streets.” This was a manifesto for a new ecclesiology — a church that is not afraid of marginality.

Leo XIV: Successor and Continuer

Pope Leo XIV, elected in May 2025, did not just inherit this course — he deepened it. As a bishop in Peru, he knows what Latin American poverty is like, not from books. In his first encyclical “Lumen et Pax,” he devoted an entire chapter to “the economy of mercy,” where he proposed to create an international fund for the cancellation of debts of the poorest countries. Leo XIV also strengthened the fight against financial abuses within the Vatican itself, making the expenses of the Curia transparent. His approach is pragmatic: you cannot preach poverty while living in luxury. Therefore, he continued the reform of Vatican finances, cutting administrative expenses by 15%.

The Church Not as a Charitable Organization

The concept of the “Poor Church” today is not about distributing food. It is about recognizing that the poor have the right to a voice in the church hierarchy. In the synodal processes of recent years, representatives from slums and rural areas have actively participated. Their voices are heard in the appointment of bishops, in the discussion of social doctrines. Thus, in 2024, the Synod on Synodality paid special attention to the experience of church communities in the Amazon, where poverty is closely linked to environmental problems. Francis and Leo XIV see the poor not just as “needy” but as those who can teach the church simplicity and humility.

International Dimension: Caritas and “Credit” Programs

The Caritas network, the official Vatican charity organization, under the leadership of Francis and Leo XIV, has become a global network that works not only in crisis points but also in stable regions. Today, Caritas not only distributes food in conflict zones but also launches microcredit programs for women in Africa and Asia, as well as teaches local communities to manage farming. In 2026, the launch of the “Academy of Mercy” — an educational platform for social workers from around the world — is planned. It is important that all these projects are coordinated not from Rome but on the ground, which corresponds to the principle of “subsidiarity” — decentralization of power.

Dialogue with Poverty: Challenges and Criticism

However, the concept faces difficulties. Conservative circles criticize Francis and Leo XIV for a “leftist tilt,” accusing them of using the church for political propaganda. Some bishops believe that the focus on poverty distracts from spiritual issues. In response to this, Pope Leo XIV said in one of his sermons: “God does not separate the soul from the body. If we do not feed the hungry, our sermons about salvation will be empty sounds.” Nevertheless, the conflict between the “Poor Church” and the “Faithful Church” remains a real challenge.

The Future: From Concept to Structure

In the coming years, the concept is likely to be institutionalized. The creation of a permanent “Council for the Poor” at the Holy See is being discussed, which will be an executive, not a consultative, body. Also, the possibility of expanding the rights of laypeople from poor countries to participate in conclaves is being considered. This could change the very structure of the Catholic Church, making it more representative. Leo XIV has already stated that “the poor are not a problem for the church, but its future.” If this future is realized, Catholicism can maintain its influence in a world where social inequality is growing.

The concept of the “Poor Church” today is not a utopia, but a living process. It changes not only the outward appearance of the papacy but also the essence of Christian service. And in this, its main strength lies.

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