November 19, 2017, is going to be celebrated as the first World Day of Poor, which Holy Father Pope Francis called for at the conclusion of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. To highlight this annual initiative, the Pontifical Council for New Evangelization announced a number of special events that are taking place throughout this week. Following the Holy Mass celebrated by His Holiness Pope Francis this Sunday in St. Peter’s Basilica, 1.500 of the visitors will be invited to lunch in the adjacent Paul VI Hall, while the other 2.500 guests will be taken to lunch in some of the Catholic colleges, seminarian and charitable organizations in Vatican.
A special booklet marking this first World Day of the Poor has been published in six languages as a pastoral aid for dioceses and parishes worldwide who wish to take part in this divine initiative. Throughout the week of the 13th to 19th November, a mobile clinic has been set up just in front of St. Peter’s Square offering free specialized medical services between 9 am to 4 pm.
On 18th November, 2017, there will also be a prayer vigil in the ancient Rome Basilica of St. Lawrence to remember volunteers all over the world who offer their services in support of the poor and marginalized. Some four thousand poor and needy people, accompanied by volunteers from Italy, France, Spain, Brussels, Luxembourg and Poland are expected to participate in the Holy Mass celebrated by Holy Father Pope Francis on 19th November.
