Pope Francis denounces ‘din of rich few’ on World Day of Poor

Pope Francis on Sunday railed against the prevalent social inequality and lamented that ‘the wealthy few’ or ‘din of the rich few’ drowning out the voice of the needy, as he marked the second annual ‘World Day of the Poor’ at the Vatican City.

At a liturgy attended by about 6,000 homeless and poor people from Rome and surrounding areas at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Catholic Church head noted that “injustice is the perverse root of poverty”.

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In his homily, Francis said “The cry of the poor daily becomes stronger but everyday heard less, drowned out by the din of the rich few, who grow ever fewer and more rich."

“Let us ask for the grace to hear the cry of all those tossed by the waves of life,” the pontiff said.

“It is the cry of all those forced to flee their homes and native land for an uncertain future. It is the cry of entire peoples, deprived even of the great natural resources at their disposal... while the wealthy few feast on what, in justice, belongs to all," the pope said.

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Championing the cause of the poor, Pope Francis has urged all men and women of goodwill to ask for the grace “to hear the cry of all those tossed by the waves of life- the cry of the poor.”

Later, Pope Francis sat down with 1,500 destitute people and a group of volunteers for a lunch of lasagna, chicken, mashed potatoes and tiramisu in a Vatican auditorium.

(With inputs from agencies)