On the occasion of World Poor Day, as Pope Francis decided to visit Assisi on Friday, the local bishop has said that the Pope’s trip serves as a reminder of the Church’s preferential option for the poor.
“With immense joy, we are preparing for the visit, albeit private, of Pope Francis, who for the fifth time comes to Assisi to shake us and remind us that the poor are part of our life and must be part of our heart,” Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino said on 10 November.
The Pope will travel to the hometown of St. Francis, on 12 November for a visit devoted to spending time with a group of 500 poor people from across Europe. This will be the fifth visit to the town of Assisi since becoming Pope in 2013. Pope Francis established the World Day of Poor in 2016 at the end of the Church’s Jubilee Year of Mercy. The Theme of the World Day of Poor is “The poor you will always have with you,” the words of Jesus recorded in Mark 14:07.