“Time devoted to prayer can never become an alibi for neglecting our neighbour in need,” says Pope Francis.

“I encourage you to seek, in every poor person whom you encounter, his or her true needs, not to stop at their most obvious material needs, but to discover their inner goodness,” Pope Francis told the faithful.

The lunch included lasagne, chicken pieces and mashed potato, with tiramisu for dessert.

With homelessness at an unprecedented state of crisis today in Ireland, it is almost unjust and unchristian to claim economic success.

“Poverty is above all a call to follow Jesus in his own poverty.” Message of Pope Francis for the World Day of the Poor

In Dublin, parishes are asked to mark World Day of the Poor by organising support for the Crosscare Parish Food Appeal, which takes place in two weeks' time