<![CDATA[This qualitative study examines the theological foundations of Pope Francis’ vision of education oriented toward the poor and develops their implications for Catholic educational pastoral practice. The study responds to the tendency to discuss educational disadvantage primarily as a policy or charitable issue without sufficiently articulating its theological basis. An interpretive theological review and library-research approach was employed using purposively selected magisterial documents of Pope Francis from 2013-2020 and relevant scholarly literature through 2025. The sources were analyzed through thematic interpretation and theological synthesis, with attention to compassion, mercy, solidarity, human dignity, and the preferential option for the poor. The findings identify three interrelated theological foundations: God as compassionate, Jesus Christ as the center of compassion, and the Church as a house of mercy and solidarity. These foundations support a pastoral framework in which Catholic education is understood as holistic formation and the preferential option for the poor as a theological imperative rather than an optional charitable activity. The synthesis further highlights collaboration among schools, families, the Church, and society as part of this educational responsibility. The study contributes an integrated theological-pastoral framework that can guide Catholic educational institutions in designing inclusive formation that respects the poor as active subjects and partners in shared human development.]]>
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