A documented historical study of the concept of the "Church of the poor" in the past 50 years since Vatican II. The idea of ​​a "poor church" and "the poor" is essential to the Gospel and one of the keys to the new papacy.

The issue of poverty has had poor reception in the post-conciliar Church, especially in the context of the first western world. Often the term 'Church of the poor "has been negatively associated with Marxism and the event has moved to reconcile the theology of liberation. However, we can not speak of insensitivity to poverty by the Council, as their fares are very explicit about it.

With the serenity provided by the elapsed time, the author presents and evaluates the conciliar texts and debates on the issue, so that, rescued from oblivion, can become key to the Church of the XXI century. It also stimulates the fact still find another church stage, marked by the pontificate of Pope Francisco, who, with his gestures and genuine with their own choice of name, has highlighted the urgency of ecclesial issue that the reader has in his hands.