[dredmorbius]

A prevalent sentiment.

I'd researched popes' policies and statements toward the poor some years back, and he really had no peer going back centuries.

Partial exception in the late 1900s, under Leo XIII (1878--1903), in the encyclical Rerum novarum.

[andrepd]

Rerum Novarum was the basis of catholic social teaching since, so...

But yes, one thing is statements another is actions, regarding the latter the Latin Church's actions have often not been in keeping with their lofty writings.