Catholic Intelligence
Search
If the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil.Ps 127:1

Vatican General Audience, 7 October 2026

Pope Leo XIV says faithful cannot accept oppression

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV told the faithful during a weekly general audience on Oct. 7 that Christians must not accept the oppression of the poor or unjust structures that create dependence and injustice. Speaking in St. Peter’s Square, the pope said that worshipping Christ calls believers to work for peace, fraternity, and justice.

During his talk, the pope quoted the Second Vatican Council document Gaudium et Spes, noting the Church's desire to pursue the welfare of everyone. He stated the Church seeks to develop freely under any government that recognizes the basic rights of families and individuals and meets the demands of the common good.

Pope Leo XIV described the Church as a sign of God's incarnation intended to show a plan for a single human family. He noted that traveling through history with various cultures helps the Church understand its mission to help people address questions regarding life, destiny, love, and suffering. He also warned that manipulating information and prioritizing profit can pressure people to adopt lifestyles focused on material consumption.

AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.

2 sources

Read the source

Sources behind this story

More Catholic news

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Oct 7, 7:10 AM The Catholic Sun Faithful cannot accept oppression, injustice, pope says
  2. Oct 7, 7:06 AM The Texas Catholic Faithful cannot accept oppression, injustice, pope says

More on Pope Leo XIV

  1. Oct 7, 3:16 PM PT · 17 sources Pope Leo XIV opens meeting on 10 years of Amoris Laetitia
  2. Oct 7, 3:16 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV greets Portuguese-speaking pilgrims
  3. Oct 7, 2:33 PM PT · 8 sources Pope Leo XIV prays Rosary with 700 children
  4. Oct 7, 2:12 PM PT · 7 sources Pope Leo XIV opens Amoris Laetitia meeting
  5. Oct 7, 1:31 PM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV opens Vatican bishops’ meeting on family
  6. Oct 7, 12:50 PM PT · 22 sources Pope Leo XIV releases video message for 100th World Mission Day
  7. Oct 7, 12:45 PM PT · 8 sources Pope Leo XIV releases video message for 100th World Mission Sunday
  8. Oct 7, 12:44 PM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV gives opening address at ‘Amoris Laetitia’ anniversary gathering
  9. Oct 7, 12:20 PM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV opens meeting on Amoris Laetitia
  10. Oct 7, 12:10 PM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV resumes catechesis on Gaudium et Spes
  11. Oct 7, 11:56 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV declares Rosario Livatino Patron of Italian Magistrates
  12. Oct 7, 11:28 AM PT · 7 sources Pope Leo XIV reflects on Gaudium et spes
  13. Oct 7, 11:27 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV greets Brazilian pilgrims
  14. Oct 7, 11:27 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV opens Vatican meeting on Amoris Laetitia
  15. Oct 7, 11:06 AM PT · 10 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints Archbishop Jan Romeo Pawłowski as Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland
  16. Oct 7, 10:44 AM PT · 7 sources Pope Leo XIV meets with heads of Eastern Catholic Churches and presidents of episcopal conferences
  17. Oct 7, 10:31 AM PT · 52 sources Pope Leo XIV convenes meeting on family
  18. Oct 7, 10:30 AM PT · 13 sources Pope Leo XIV holds general audience
  19. Oct 7, 9:55 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV meets Vatican Museum patrons
  20. Oct 7, 9:53 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit France
  21. Oct 7, 9:45 AM PT · 14 sources Pope Leo XIV holds general audience
  22. Oct 7, 9:32 AM PT · 3 sources Filipinos join Pope Leo XIV’s Vatican meeting on family life
  23. Oct 7, 9:07 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Argentina
  24. Oct 7, 8:56 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV entrusts Brazilians to Our Lady of Aparecida's intercession
  25. Oct 7, 8:53 AM PT · 8 sources Pope Leo XIV receives Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums from Louisiana

Discussion

Loading discussion…

Catholic News · Comments are signed by readers with a verified address.