An encyclical letter is the highest form of papal teaching.
Released on Thursday, Francis’ fourth encyclical of his 11-year papacy largely abstains from talking about political issues.
This is a departure from his earlier writings which addressed themes such as climate change and “trickle-down” economic policies.
Dilexit nos (He loved us) instead encourages believers to strengthen their religious lives.
The world is living in an “age of superficiality”, the Pope says, and Catholics and other Christians “need to rediscover the importance of the heart”.
“In a world where everything is bought and sold, people’s sense of their worth appears increasingly to depend on what they can accumulate with the power of money,” Francis writes.
“The love of Christ has no place in this perverse mechanism, yet only that love can set us free from a mad pursuit that no longer has room for a gratuitous love.”
The 142-page text focuses on spiritual themes, rather than calls for concrete political action.
The Pope’s 2015 letter Laudato Si’ (Praise Be) urged care for the environment and has been credited by some world leaders with influencing discussions ahead of the 2016 Paris Agreement.
His 2020 letter Fratelli Tutti (Brothers All) called for a reconsideration of economic policies in the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The new letter instead offers reflections on a Catholic spiritual practice promoted by a 17th-century French nun, Margaret Mary Alacoque, who reportedly experienced several visions of Jesus.
Christians should emulate Jesus’ love by also caring for those in need, the Pope says.
“There is no greater way for us to return love for love,” he states.
The release of the papal document comes as Francis is leading a month-long summit of global Catholic leaders at the Vatican, which is expected to release its text on Saturday.
Discussions around most of the divisive issues originally part of the summit’s considerations, such as the possibility of letting women be ordained as Catholic clergy, have now been put on hold.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis has ordered pay cuts for cardinals as the Vatican battles to balance its books, the Prefect for the Economy Maximino Caballero Ledo announced on Wednesday.
The prefect said that additional monthly benefits reserved to cardinals will be scrapped.
In March 2021, Pope Francis had already ordered pay cuts for cardinals and other clerics during the pandemic.
Cardinals saw pay reduced by 10 per cent.
They are believed to receive approximately 5000 euros a month and often live in subsidised accommodation.
AAP/ANSA
