Pope Leo XIV says "caring for others, when motivated by love, not only helps those in need, but also opens the heart of the giver to God’s grace" FULL TEXT to the World's Largest Charitable Society

 Pope Leo XIV met with several spiritual children of St. Vincent de Paul and recalled the French saint’s teaching that prayer and action on behalf of social justice are complementary and inseparable. He greeted a delegation from the St. Vincent de Paul Society of the United States of America. Founded in 1833, the global organization seeks the sanctification of its members by personal service to the poor, and forms part of the Vincentian Family of Catholic organizations dedicated to St. Vincent de Paul.
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
TO A DELEGATION OF THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL USA
in the Vatican's Consistory Hall on Friday, 28 August 2026
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!
Good morning, everyone. Welcome. Thank you for your patience.
Your Excellency, Dear friends,

With great joy I extend my cordial greetings to all of you, and I hope that your time in Rome, in the Eternal City will strengthen your faith and deepen your desire to serve the Lord and to serve his Church. I thank you in particular for your devoted service to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and through it, to your brothers and sisters across the United States of America. Indeed, by freely offering your God-given gifts and talents, you give eloquent witness to your faith in service to the building up of the Kingdom of God.

At the same time, I encourage you to deepen your relationship with our Lord so that his grace may continue to guide and strengthen your service. Saint Vincent de Paul demonstrated that prayer and social justice are not merely complementary but are in fact inseparable. It is therefore my hope that you will continually turn to your heavenly patron in order to follow his example and seek his intercession.

Moreover, as I recalled in Dilexi Te, Saint Augustine taught the Christocentric nature of care for the poor and held that God will not be outdone in generosity to those who serve them. We therefore believe that caring for others, when motivated by love, not only helps those in need, but also opens the heart of the giver to God’s grace (cf. no. 46). Dear friends, I urge you, then, always to give of yourselves. In this way, the Lord’s grace will steadily purify your hearts and minds, and you will more readily recognize Christ in your neighbour, both in those you serve and in those with whom you work.

Finally, when you return to your homes, please know that you do so accompanied by my prayers. In a particular way, I ask you to bring my warm greetings to your colleagues and to the people for whom you care. With these thoughts, I entrust each of you to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church. And perhaps, today, in a special way, also to Saint Augustine on his feast day. Thank you.

So, please stand, and let us pray together as the Lord has taught us.

[Our Father]

And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

Source - https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/08/28/0672/01253.html