By Charles Igwe
Pope Leo XIV has officially signed the first apostolic exhortation of his pontificate, titled Dilexi Te (“I Have Loved You”).
The signing took place at 8:30 a.m. in the private library of the Apostolic Palace, in the presence of Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State. The Vatican has announced that the text will be publicly presented on October 9 via the Holy See Press Office.
While the full content of the exhortation is not yet released, reports indicate that Dilexi Te is expected to place significant emphasis on themes of poverty and the Church’s mission to the marginalized.
Pope Leo XIV’s decision to sign the exhortation on the feast of St. Francis seems symbolically fitting, reinforcing a message of humility, care for the poor, and devotion to Gospel simplicity.
