Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

There is no such thing as people who only take and never give, Pope Francis emphasized during a private audience at the Vatican on November 8. Addressing a group of visitors experiencing homelessness and volunteers from the organization “Begegnung im Zentrum” (“Encounter in the Center”), based in Vienna, Austria, he highlighted the mutual exchange inherent in human relationships.

“We are all givers and receivers, we all need each other and are called to enrich each other,” Pope Francis remarked. The group regularly meets at the residence of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, the archbishop of Vienna.

Pope Francis acknowledged the diverse backgrounds of his guests, noting their varied countries of origin and religious faiths. Despite these differences, he underscored a common bond: “But one thing unites us all: we are brothers and sisters, we are children of one Father.”

He commended them for their mutual support and sharing of resources. “Indeed, it is not true that some give and others only receive,” he stated.

The pope expanded on this notion by emphasizing that giving extends beyond material possessions to include gestures like “a smile, a small gesture of friendship, a kind look, a ready ear, a good deed.”

He urged everyone to strive to make their lives gifts for others: “Let us always try, as brothers and sisters, to make our lives a gift for others.”

Pope Francis concluded by reminding those present that God’s love manifests through acts of kindness from those around us. “God offers the gift of his love,” he said. “The Lord loves us beyond all of our limitations and difficulties. Each one of us is unique in his eyes, and he never forgets us.”