Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has welcomed the release of Pope Leo XIV’s first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te. The document calls on Catholics to renew their commitment to serving the poor.

In a statement, Archbishop Broglio said: “In the first apostolic exhortation from Pope Leo XIV, we are consoled and challenged by his message reminding us of the deep love Christ has for each member of the human family. ‘God’s love is vividly demonstrated by his protection of the weak and the poor,’ our Holy Father writes. Building upon the teaching of his predecessor, Pope Leo XIV has offered to us a powerfully moving invitation to reflect upon the history of the Church’s service to the poor and urges us to allow it to transform our contemporary lives. The Holy Father reminds us of a simple, life-changing truth, ‘love for our neighbor is tangible proof of the authenticity of our love for God.’ This means that ‘charity is not optional but a requirement of true worship.’”

He continued: “Our lives must reflect the reality of the ultimate, loving sacrifice of Christ. The Holy Father calls upon each of us to respond to a world that is marked by indifference, division, and apathy especially when directed towards the poor and vulnerable. On the challenges we face with contemporary migration, he encourages us to respond with four actions: welcome, protect, promote and integrate. This is a sharp contrast to the culture of fear being imposed upon our sisters and brothers in Christ.”

Broglio concluded by inviting all people “to read, reflect, and pray with the message offered by our Holy Father,” expressing hope that it would lead to renewal in both Church and society.