Dilexit Nos ("He Loved Us")

Pope Francis Illuminates the Human and Divine Love of Christ in Encyclical on the Sacred Heart

In a world overwhelmed by noise, speed, and superficial connection, many have grown used to ignoring the deeper longings of the human heart. Surrounded by constant distraction and driven by the pressures of secular society, we often find ourselves distant from what truly matters—love. Dilexit Nos (“He Loved Us”), published by Pope Francis in the fall of 2024, is a bold and tender call to return to the heart. It is a reawakening of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus—a devotion that answers the deepest desire of every soul: to be known, loved, and held by a love that is faithful, enduring, and true.

In this deeply pastoral and theologically rich encyclical, Pope Francis calls the Church to contemplate the very heart of Christian life: a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus, whose open heart reveals the great depth of God’s love. He invites all people to rediscover the human and divine love poured out from the heart of Christ—a love that goes before us, remains with us, and never fails us.

Far from a sentimental devotion or abstract symbol, the Sacred Heart is presented here as a living sign of Christ’s humanity and divinity, both fully present in his Incarnation. Because Jesus lived, suffered, and rejoiced as we do, his human heart reveals not only the depth of God’s love for us, but also reflects the desires, emotions, and hopes of our own. In this shared humanity, he meets us in our weakness, loves us completely, and draws us into the fullness of life in him.

Dilexit Nos features:

• A newly designed cover with a beautiful photo of Pope Francis
• Colored tabs with paragraph numbers at the top of each page for easy navigation
• Carefully designed pages to make each page readable, organized, and inviting
• A document summary explaining the intended audience, the document’s origin, and the purpose it seeks to serve within the mission of the Church
• The official text of this work written by Pope Francis

This edition is part of The Papal Collection from Ascension, which features documents from the Roman Pontiffs.