Problem ubóstwa w orędziach papieża Franciszka na Światowy Dzień Ubogich

This paper presents an analysis of the problem of poverty as portrayed in the Messages of Pope Francis, addressed annually from 2017 to 2021 to the faithful of the Catholic Church. The analysis of the thoughts in the messages of Pope Francis presented in the article aims to show the relationship between the material and non-material view of poverty. The article presents understandings of poverty that selectively highlight its characteristics in the messages and narrow the place of the poor person in the modern world. An important aspect of the analysis is also the ideas of help for the poor outlined in the messages, which are consistent with the contemporary indications of professional support, but which also often (although right in intention), as a consequence, leave room for the entrenchment of poverty. A significant part of the analysis is also the reference to the proposed relational way of helping the poor, while at the same time the passive role of the poor is presented (which does not correspond to the relational approach) and in relation to which the messages do not give instructions that would activate their attitude.