‘Distance from God’ is the ‘most dangerous poverty,’ says Pope

December 22, 2014

Pope Francis received 8,000 members of the Pope John XXIII Community on December 20 and said the “distance from God” is the “most dangerous poverty, the cause of all the others.”

This form of poverty, he added, can lead one to “enslave the life of the neighbor” as one pursues wealth, power, and pleasure.

The Pope John XXIII Community, an international association of the lay faithful, was founded in the Diocese of Rimini, Italy, by the Servant of God Father Oreste Benzi (1925-2007) in 1968. Devoted to the service of the poor and disabled, the community has spread to 34 countries.

“Providence has made you grow, proving the vitality of the charism of your founder, who liked to say, ‘In order to stand on your feet, you must get on your knees,’” said Pope Francis.

 

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Further information:

• Udienza all’Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII (Holy See Press Office)
• Pope Francis receives John XXIII Community (Vatican Radio)
• "Pope John XXIII Community" Association (Pontifical Council for the Laity)