Why did God create the world?

Some philosophies and religions have claimed the universe necessarily “emanates” from God, but the Church teaches that God freely chose to create the world for his glory (CCC 293-295). God didn’t have to make the world, nor did he make it because he needs it; he created the world because we need him. God, who is love itself (1 John 4:18), desires the good of all things and so, out of a super-abundant, overflowing possession of goodness, God created beings that would benefit from being in relation with him.