Pope Leo XIV is set to publish the first major document of his pontificate on October 9, the Vatican announced this Saturday (October 4, 2025). This pivotal text is expected to offer crucial insights into the new Holy Father’s vision and priorities for the global Catholic Church, which serves 1.4 billion members worldwide.
This forthcoming document, officially classified as an apostolic exhortation, bears the title “Dilexi te,” which translates to “He loved you.” Pope Leo XIV formally signed the text on Saturday, paving the way for its highly anticipated release.
Multiple Vatican sources have indicated in recent weeks that Pope Leo’s exhortation will predominantly address the pressing concerns and needs of the world’s impoverished populations.
While the Vatican refrained from disclosing further specifics about the document on Saturday, its chosen title strongly implies a deep sense of continuity with the late Pope Francis. Francis’s final significant document, an encyclical published in October 2024, was titled “Dilexit nos” (He loved us), creating a clear thematic link between the two pontificates.
According to Vatican officials, this document by Pope Leo XIV brings to completion a significant writing project initially conceived and begun by Pope Francis. The project remained unfinished at the time of Francis’s death in April, after 12 years of devoted leadership to the global Church.
Pope Leo XIV, notably the first pontiff from the United States, was elected to succeed Pope Francis by the College of Cardinals on May 8.
The formal signing of the document by Pope Leo XIV occurred on Saturday, coinciding with the Catholic feast day dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. This 13th-century Italian saint is celebrated for his profound commitment to poverty and his deep connection to the natural world.
Pope Francis, who notably adopted the saint’s name, was known for eschewing many traditional symbols of papal grandeur. He frequently shared meals with Rome’s homeless community and consistently vocalized his critiques of a global market system he believed neglected society’s most vulnerable members.
Francis’s final encyclical, “Dilexit nos,” marked a departure in style from some of his earlier works. It largely steered clear of political discourse, choosing instead to concentrate on profound spiritual themes.
Within that particular document, Pope Francis passionately implored Catholics worldwide to forsake the “mad pursuit” of material wealth and, instead, rededicate themselves wholeheartedly to their spiritual faith.