Reflections on Dilexi Te by Fr. Ivel Mendanha, CSsR: The First Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV‘s first apostolic exhortation “Dilexi Te” (“I have loved you”), was signed by him on the feast of St Francis of Assisi on the 4th October and then promulgated on the 9th October, the feast day of St. John Henry Newman.
This Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Leo XIV is a teaching document from the pope which aims to exhort and encourage the entire Christian community to care for the Poor.
Dilexi Te means “I have loved you” and echoes the title of Pope Francis’ last encyclical letter Dilexit Nos, He loved us”), on the devotion to the Sacred Heart. The title is taken from the words of Jesus in Revelation 3:9 and the exhortation is addressed “to all Christians on love for the poor.”
With the release of his first major magisterial document a few months into his papacy, we read Pope Leo’s developed thoughts on the Christian life for the first time, both in humble continuity with Pope Francis and with his own particular style and experience.
Fr. Joseph Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R, General Consultor and member of the Redemptorist General Secretariat for Spirituality takes us through the Apostolic Exhortation highlighting important aspects and themes addressed by the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV in each of the 5 Chapters of Dilexi Te.