Pope Francis' New Encyclical Dilexit Nos Calls for Devotion to Christ's Heart

On October 24, Pope Francis issued his fourth encyclical, Dilexit Nos (“He loved us”), focusing on the profound human and divine love embodied in the heart of Jesus Christ. This substantial document, spanning 220 paragraphs and containing 227 citations, is organized into five chapters. Following Lumen Fidei (2013), Laudato Si’ (2015), and Fratelli Tutti (2020), Dilexit Nos highlights Pope Francis’s ongoing theological reflections and pastoral concerns, calling the faithful to contemplate and emulate the compassionate heart of Christ.

II. The Why?

Pope Francis aims to restore and deepen understanding of the heart as a spiritual and emotional symbol, central to experiencing Christ’s love. He invites readers to (a) appreciate Jesus’s love for humanity (cf. DN 2), (b) reconnect with their innermost selves in today’s often fragmented world (cf. DN 81), and (c) engage communally, recognizing the social and missionary dimensions inherent in authentic devotion to Christ’s heart (cf. DN 163).

III. Heart: Symbol and Significance

In the encyclical, the heart is defined as the seat of desire and decision-making, unifying rational and instinctive aspects within each person (DN 3). It represents sincerity and is a profound judge of one’s true self. Pope Francis describes the heart as “the dwelling place of love” (DN 16, 21), fostering relationships and communal respect (DN 12). Emphasizing that the heart is often hidden beneath external appearances, Pope Francis calls for reconciliation, recognizing that while frail and wounded, the heart can also be a source of peace (DN 28, 30).

IV. Our Crisis Today

Pope Francis addresses modern challenges, noting that contemporary society’s digital-driven pace often distracts people from meaningful relationships and self-awareness (DN 9). This “heartlessness” leads to alienation from oneself, others, and God (DN 12). While technology and artificial intelligence may serve in practical ways, they cannot replicate human empathy, compassion, or the sacredness within the heart (DN 20). The Pope advocates for a “change of heart” to counteract prevailing social ills such as narcissism, apathy, and superficiality (DN 29).

V. The Heart of Jesus in the Gospels

Pope Francis presents Jesus’s heart as an expression of openness, gift, and encounter, embodying unity in all aspects of reality (DN 31). Through actions rather than words, Christ demonstrated closeness, compassion, and a love that transcends human limitations (DN 33-35). His heart is a testament to both divine and human love, particularly evident in His compassion for those who sought Him and His ultimate sacrifice on the cross (DN 39-41, 46).

VI. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

This devotion, Pope Francis explains, goes beyond veneration of Jesus’s physical heart, instead embracing His entire personhood and the divine love it represents. Rooted in the theological tradition, the devotion seeks to deepen one’s love for Christ and to open oneself to being loved by Him. It integrates personal spiritual transformation with a commitment to social outreach, encouraging believers to mirror Christ’s compassion in their own lives (DN 91, 50).

VII. Devotion through Popes and Saints

Throughout history, Popes and saints have emphasized the transformative power of the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pope Pius XI called it a way to console Christ’s heart, wounded by human sins. Pope Leo XIII saw in the Sacred Heart an image of Jesus’ infinite love, while Pope Pius XII encouraged us to drink from this source of charity and mercy.

Pope Paul VI invited us to shape our hearts after Christ’s, while Pope John Paul II saw it as a call for compassion and solidarity. Pope Benedict XVI reminded us that Christ’s pierced heart calls us to peace, and Pope Francis sees this devotion as a mission to spread love globally.

Saints like Augustine, Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis de Sales, and Margaret Mary Alacoque saw Christ’s heart as a symbol of love and a source of salvation. Saint Therese and Saint Catherine of Siena highlighted its personal intimacy, while Saint Ignatius and Saint Charles de Foucauld saw it as a path to expand our hearts and live a life of fraternity.

VIII. Invitations of the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Pope Francis outlines four invitations in this devotion: Love, responding to Christ’s call for our love and sharing it with others; Compunction, a purifying experience to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit; Reparation, which means healing our own hearts and reconciling with others; and Mission, which drives us to share Christ’s love as a community.

IX. Snares to escape

The Pope cautions against three snares: Jansenism, which ignores God’s mercy; Proselytism, where faith sharing should respect others’ freedom; and Secularization, a trend that seeks to exclude God from society, leading to superficial religiosity.

X. DN in the light of Pope Francis’ writings

In Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis places the Sacred Heart devotion within his broader teachings on love and responsibility. Echoing Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, he encourages us to engage with humanity and nature through Christ’s compassionate heart. This devotion, he says, calls us to be agents of reconciliation and peace.

This encyclical is biblically rich, Christ-centered, and God-glorifying.

By Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi