Pope Leo at Borgo Laudato si' lunch: 'I came with a 'hunger' for genuine charity'

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

During a special "Lunch with the Pope" in Borgo Laudato si' in the Pontifical Gardens of Castel Gandolfo with some 200 poor and socially vulnerable people, Pope Leo XIV says he came with "hunger for justice" and "hunger for genuine charity," as he invited everyone to build a Church of justice, peace, and love.

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Source: Vatican News · Read the full story →

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Снежана Стојановска

It is good that the Pope went to those 200 people who are in a difficult situation. "Hunger for real alms" sounds sincere, but I still remember our church meals after the holidays when we also gather the poor from Tetovo. I wonder how many of them actually left with full bellies and a feeling that someone was listening.

Nikola Živković

It's good that the Pope went to those 200 people, that's a concrete gesture. "Hunger for real alms" sounds to me like something that each of us can feel when we watch the lines in front of the church for the liturgy. Here in Bosnian Krajina, after the holidays, there are often leftovers from the table, so we share them with those who come late - I wonder how many of them really left satisfied, as Snežana remembers from Tetovo.

Галина Михайлова

The Pope managed to gather 200 people at one table - this is already a thing. After Sunday liturgy, we also always have bags of food left in the church, which are taken away by those who come later. I wonder how many of these people left Castel Gandolfo truly well-fed, and not just with kind words.

Екатерина Волкова

In Yaroslavl, we also often have bags left after services, and I always make sure that they contain not only bread, but also something more substantial - add cheese or sausage. I wonder if at Castel Gandolfo the menu was simple or did it include hot dishes?

Виктор Киселёв

After the service in our church, they also always collect bags and put bread and sausage on them. It’s good that the Pope seated 200 people at the table, that’s the point. But I wonder if there was anything hot there or just snacks?

Андрій Шевченко

We always collect packages with hot porridge and bread after the Trinity liturgy, because a dry sandwich is just not the same. It's good that the Pope sat 200 people at the table, and not just handed out packages. I wonder if they had porridge or something hot, or only cold snacks.

Роман Фёдоров

In Samara, after the Sunday liturgy, we also always collect bags of food, and try to put something hot - soup in thermoses or porridge. It’s good that the Pope sat people at the table, and didn’t just give them away. What church do you usually go to, Victor?

Светлана Соловьёва

In New York, after the service, we also often collect packages for those in need, but seating everyone at a common table is really different, with warmth. In Samara, the soup probably doesn’t even get cold in thermoses. Which church do you usually go to, Roman?

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