Pope Francis released his fourth encyclical, “Dilexit Nos” (Latin for “He Loves Us”), on Thursday, highlighting a world in crisis. He condemned the lack of compassion in an era marked by “wars, socio-economic disparities, and uses of technology that threaten our humanity.” This social document, coinciding with the 350th anniversary of St. Margaret Mary Alocoque’s first Sacred Heart of Jesus apparition, emphasizes Jesus’ love amid modern challenges. St. Margaret Mary’s vision spread the devotion to Jesus’ Sacred Heart, a message Pope Francis suggests is more critical than ever in a world overshadowed by consumerism and technology.
The encyclical urges believers to reflect on Jesus’ love, as today’s society increasingly obscures humanity’s true essence through technology and consumption. This latest work follows his influential 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si,” which framed environmental care as a moral duty. Yet, while “Dilexit Nos” critiques the global state, it does not explicitly list examples of current global turmoil. Instead, the pope often addresses issues like the Ukraine conflict and Middle East violence in his homilies, public prayers, and travels, frequently seeking prayers for “martyred” Ukrainians and condemning the “inhumane attacks” in Gaza.
Pope Francis has taken a balanced stance in the Middle East crisis, often recognizing Israel’s suffering while also highlighting the plight of Palestinians. In “Dilexit Nos,” he states that a global failure to empathize with both sides reveals “a world that has grown heartless.” Reflecting on society’s tendency toward indifference, he writes, “When we witness the outbreak of new wars, with the complicity, tolerance or indifference of other countries, or petty power struggles over partisan interests, we may be tempted to conclude that our world is losing its heart.”
In the face of rising consumerism and technology-driven societies, Pope Francis warns of an increased risk of disconnect from meaningful “interior life,” which he says requires patience and introspection. He cautions that technology, particularly algorithms, has made human behavior highly predictable, enabling manipulation and control. “Our thoughts and will are much more ‘uniform’ than we had previously thought. They are easily predictable and thus capable of being manipulated,” he observed. The pope underscores the essential role of creativity and emotion in preserving our humanity, stating that “in an era of artificial intelligence, we cannot forget that poetry and love are necessary to save our humanity.”
The encyclical, Vatican’s most authoritative papal teaching form, takes its name from the first words in the document. Monsignor Bruno Forte, Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto in Italy, describes “Dilexit Nos” as a summative message from Pope Francis, conveying that “God loves you and has shown you in the best way, through Jesus.” He explains the document as more than a “spiritual refuge,” presenting it as a call to “love, mutual reception, and forgiveness.”