Pope Francis has urged the world's 1.4 billion Catholics to abandon the "mad pursuit" of money and instead devote themselves to their faith in a new encyclical letter, the highest form of papal teaching, released on Thursday (October 24).

Francis' fourth encyclical over his 11-year papacy largely abstains from talking about political issues, a departure from his earlier writings, which also addressed themes such as global climate change and "trickle-down" economic policies.

"Dilexit nos" (He loved us) instead encourages believers to strengthen their religious lives. The world is living in an "age of superficiality," the Pope says, and Catholics and other Christians "need to rediscover the importance of the heart."

The 142-page text focuses on spiritual themes, rather than calling for concrete political action.

The Pope's 2015 letter "Laudato Si'" (Praise Be) urged the world to care for the environment and has been credited by some world leaders with influencing discussions ahead of the 2016 Paris Agreement. His 2020 letter "Fratelli Tutti" (Brothers All) called for a reconsideration of economic policies in the aftermath of the global coronavirus pandemic.

The new letter instead offers reflections on a Catholic spiritual practice promoted by a 17th century French nun, Sr. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who reportedly experienced several visions of Jesus.