Vatican City: The Holy See has urged governments and the international community to place human dignity at the heart of urban planning, saying that ending homelessness must become a priority if cities are to be truly sustainable and inclusive.
In a statement released on July 28 during the 2026 High Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the New Urban Agenda in New York, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations stressed that access to safe and affordable housing is a basic human need and an essential foundation for strong communities. The meeting also marked the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the New Urban Agenda, a global framework that promotes sustainable and well managed urban development.
The Holy See said the continuing presence of homelessness around the world should concern the conscience of the international community. It noted that every person deserves a place they can call home, where they can build relationships, raise families and take an active part in community life. Housing, the statement said, should never be seen only as a financial asset or commercial product but as a vital part of society that serves the common good.
The Vatican explained that cities built on solidarity, inclusion and care for the most vulnerable become much more than places where people live and work. They become communities where people can meet one another, build fraternity and find hope.
The statement also drew attention to Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, which focuses on protecting human dignity in an age of rapid technological development. Quoting the document, the Holy See said that true development is only possible when people remain at the centre of every decision. It called on governments and city planners to make this principle the guiding force in implementing the New Urban Agenda over the coming decade.
The Holy See described homelessness as one of the greatest challenges facing modern cities and called it a serious violation of human dignity. It said that lacking a home means much more than being without shelter. It also deprives people of security, privacy, stability and a sense of belonging. As a result, homelessness often prevents individuals and families from enjoying many basic human rights and leaves them trapped in poverty and social exclusion.
To tackle the problem effectively, the Holy See urged governments to invest in affordable and adequate housing while expanding access to integrated social services. It also called for greater efforts to address the root causes of homelessness, including poverty, unemployment, drug addiction, mental health problems, family breakdown, displacement and armed conflict.
The statement emphasised that solutions should involve local communities, civil society organisations, faith based groups and people who have personally experienced homelessness. Their participation, it said, is essential in developing practical and lasting responses.
The Holy See also encouraged governments to adopt housing policies that recognise the close relationship between education, employment, housing and healthcare. A coordinated approach in these areas, it said, can reduce exclusion, prevent segregation and create stronger and healthier communities.
The Vatican further called for renewed international solidarity through stronger cooperation among nations. It urged greater support for developing countries facing rapid urbanisation by promoting technology transfer, capacity building and adequate financial assistance.
Concluding its message, the Holy See said the success of a city should not be judged by the size of its buildings or the strength of its economy. Instead, it should be measured by its ability to ensure that every person can live with dignity, participate fully in society and contribute to the common good. It added that the true mark of a sustainable city is how well it cares for all its people while addressing poverty, inequality and environmental challenges.