Pope decries that 'greed of a few' worsens poverty of others

Pope Francis on Sunday decried that the "greed of a few" wealthy people is compounding the plight of the poor and lamented the lack of concern about growing income gaps between the haves and have-nots.

Francis celebrated a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica dedicated to heightening awareness about poor people worldwide.

"We go our way in haste, without worrying that gaps are increasing, that the greed of a few is adding to the poverty of many others,'' Francis said in his homily, with poor people among the people accorded seats in the basilica for the Mass.

Keeping a tradition of his papacy, Francis invited indigent persons to dine with him at the Vatican after Mass.

Addressing the public in St. Peter's Square following the end of the service, Francis said such initiatives pay witness to "the attention that must never be lacking toward these brothers and sisters of ours."
He expressed dismay over the ''indifference of society toward poor people."
Francis also said the faithful should ask themselves: "Do I, as a Christian, have at least one poor person as a friend?"