On October 4, 2025, Pope Leo XIV signed the first Apostolic Exhortation of his Pontificate, entitled Dilexi te (“I have loved you”), focused on love for the poor. The presentation is scheduled for the upcoming October 9.
The Holy Father chose October 4, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, for the signing of his first magisterial document. The Dicastery for Communication has informed that that Pope Leo signed Dilexi te in the Private Library of the Apostolic Palace, in the presence of the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra.
The document’s title echoes the fourth and final Encyclical of Pope Francis, Dilexit nos, on the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ, dated October 24, 2024.
The Holy See Press Office announced that the publication and press conference for the presentation of Pope Leo XIV’s document will take place on Thursday, October 9, at noon (Rome time).
The speakers at the press conference will be: Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, Almoner of His Holiness and Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity (Apostolic Almoner); Friar Frédéric-Marie Le Méhauté O.F.M., Provincial of the Franciscan Friars of France/Belgium and Doctor of Theology; and Sister Clémence, Little Sister of Jesus from the Fraternity of the Three Fountains in Rome.
Lastly, from October 9, there will be some pastoral resources available to accompany the further study of the Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te.