Overview
- Pope Leo XIV, who received the Catholic Charities USA board Monday at the Vatican, affirmed their mission and called care for the poor an integral part of Christian life.
- He acknowledged scarce resources and discouragement as real obstacles, urged them to draw on the hope of Easter, and imparted his Apostolic Blessing with assurances of prayer.
- Catholic Charities leaders said the remarks strengthened their resolve to keep serving people of all backgrounds across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories.
- Leadership pointed to financial and political pressure after cuts to refugee resettlement support, estimating about 450 positions lost out of 45,000 full-time staff nationwide.
- Agencies are leaning on private giving to fill gaps, including large-scale food distributions when federal nutrition aid lapses, in order to meet rising local needs.