Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV on Thursday released his first major document, calling on Christians and others not to become indifferent to hunger and extreme poverty across the world.

The pope's first apostolic exhortation, called Dilexi te, builds on the final text published by Leo's predecessor Pope Francis, which highlighted the "close connection" between love for God and love for the poor, according to the Vatican.

"With this document, signed on Oct. 4, the feast of Saint Francis of Assis, Pope Leo situates himself firmly on the path laid out by his predecessors, including Saint John XXIII, with his appeal ... to wealthier countries not to remain indifferent to nations oppressed by hunger and extreme poverty," the Vatican said in a news release.

Titled "I Have Loved You," Leo wrote that Francis had started preparing the document and he had finished it, saying that he is "happy to make the document my own -- adding some reflections," The New York Times reported.

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