Pope Francis denounces world ‘losing its heart’ in fourth encyclical of papacy

Pope Francis attends a session of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Pope Francis issued the fourth encyclical of his papacy on Thursday, denouncing a world that “is losing its heart” during times of global turmoil marked by “wars, socio-economic disparities and the uses of technology that threaten our humanity”.

The document titled “Dilexit Nos”, Latin for “He Loves Us”, was issued to coincide with the 350th anniversary of St Margaret Mary Alocoque’s first apparition, which helped spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus revealing his love of humanity.