Vatican City: Pope Leo, the first US pontiff, will release the first major document of his papacy on October 9, the Vatican announced on Saturday.
The apostolic exhortation, titled “Dilexi te” (He loved you), was formally signed by the pope on Saturday, coinciding with the Catholic feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
The Vatican has not provided full details about the text, but officials indicated that it will focus primarily on the needs of the world’s poor. The title suggests continuity with the late Pope Francis, whose final major document, an encyclical named ‘Dilexit nos’ (He loved us), was issued in October 2024.
According to Vatican officials, Leo’s document completes a writing project begun by Francis but left unfinished before his death in April. Francis led the global Church for 12 years and was known for his focus on poverty, simplicity, and social justice.
Pope Leo XIV has signed his first Apostolic Exhortation, ‘Dilexi te’.https://t.co/YRTqIeAjH9
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) October 4, 2025
Pope Leo was elected on May 8 by the world’s cardinals to succeed Francis. The timing of the document, aligned with the feast of St. Francis, underlines its emphasis on humility and care for the marginalized. St. Francis, a 13th-century Italian saint, is remembered for his vow of poverty and close connection to nature.
Francis, the first pope to take the name of the saint, often rejected many traditional trappings of the papacy. He hosted meals with Rome’s homeless, criticized global economic systems for ignoring the vulnerable, and emphasized spiritual values over political debates. His last encyclical, ‘Dilexit nos,’ focused on guiding Catholics toward faith and away from the pursuit of wealth.
Pope Leo’s Dilexi te is expected to carry forward similar themes, reinforcing care for the poor while highlighting the spiritual mission of the Church under his new leadership.
