ABSTRACT
The commandment to love God and thy neighbour has inspired Christian communities over the centuries to organise countless efforts to care for poor and vulnerable members of society. The Catholic response to poverty and human suffering has been made manifest for centuries by countless men and women, lay and religious, who have dedicated their lives to serving the poor. Early responses to poverty and human need were typically organised at the parish-level on a voluntary basis. The relationship between Catholic social welfare and the development of the social work profession varies by country and its individual historical and socio-political contexts. Pope Francis has had a galvanising impact on people across the world. While there is tremendous convergence between Pope Francis' words and deeds and the social work profession, there remain areas of dissonance as well. Despite disagreements one has with the Catholic Church, no one can deny its far-reaching impact in meeting human needs and promoting social development throughout world.
