The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo will publish his first major document as pontiff on October 9, 2025, a text that is expected to shed light on his vision and priorities for the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.
The document, an apostolic exhortation titled “Dilexi te” (He loved you), was formally signed by the pope on Saturday, October 4, coinciding with the Catholic feast of St. Francis of Assisi — the revered 13th-century saint known for his devotion to poverty and simplicity.
According to Vatican officials, the text will continue a writing project begun by the late Pope Francis, who died in April after 12 years as leader of the Church. Francis’s last encyclical, “Dilexit nos” (He loved us), was published in October 2024 and focused largely on spiritual renewal over political themes, urging Catholics to turn away from the “mad pursuit” of wealth.
Officials say Leo’s document will likely emphasise the needs of the poor, echoing the social justice themes that defined much of Francis’s papacy. Its title also suggests continuity between the two pontiffs, with Francis often highlighting issues of inequality and compassion for society’s most vulnerable.
Pope Leo, the first U.S. pope, was elected on May 8, 2025, following Francis’s passing. His first exhortation will not only conclude Francis’s unfinished project but also serve as a symbolic marker of Leo’s own pastoral direction as he begins his leadership of the global Church.
