“In 2017, Pope Francis instituted the World Day of the Poor so that “throughout the world Christian communities can become an ever greater sign of Christ’s charity for the least and those most in need”. (ORDO) In his message for World Day of the Poor 2023, Pope Francis calls us “to acknowledge every poor person and every form of poverty, abandoning the indifference and the banal excuses we make to protect our illusory well-being.” He says: “Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor” (Tobit 4:7). In a word, whenever we encounter a poor person, we cannot look away, for that would prevent us from encountering the face of the Lord Jesus. Let us carefully consider his words: “from anyone who is poor”. Everyone is our neighbour. Regardless of the colour of their skin, their social standing, the place from which they came…”

“Instituted in 1985 at the conclusion of the International Year of Youth and in conjunction with Saint John Paul II’s World Youth Day gatherings, this observance has taken place on Palm Sunday. In 2020, Pope Francis transferred the date to the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. “Young people must say to the world: It is good to follow Jesus! You bring us joy of faith and tell us that we must live the faith always with a young heart.” (Pope Francis)

The National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples is celebrated annually on December 12, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. This year’s message recalls a prayer spoken by Pope Francis at Lac Ste Anne during his penitential pilgrimage to Canada. The text of Pope Francis’ prayer, is now available on the CCCB’s website: In English: National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples 12 December 2023 - Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (cccb.ca) In French: Journée nationale de prière en solidarité avec les peuples autochtones 12 décembre 2023 - Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (cecc.ca)

The Sunday of the Word of God is an annual commemoration in the Catholic Church taking place on the third Sunday in Ordinary Time, during January.

In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day for women and men in consecrated life. This global celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd.

"Journeying in Dignity. Listen. Dream. Act": this is the theme of the tenth International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking on February 8, a day established in 2015 by Pope Francis on the feast day of Saint Bakhita, the Sudanese sister who was a victim of trafficking and a universal symbol of the Church's commitment against this scourge. Human trafficking is the process by which people are coerced or lured by false prospects, recruited, relocated, and forced to work and live in exploitative or abusive conditions. It is a phenomenon, as warned by recent United Nations reports, in continuous and dramatic evolution.