Caritas Internationalis expressed support for Pope Leo XIV, offering prayers and pledging to accompany his pontificate in a spirit of service, synodality, and solidarity with the poor.
In a statement, the confederation of Catholic aid agencies said it joins the universal Church in thanksgiving and “pledge[s] to follow and support him in a spirit of service and synodality, so that in guiding the Church, he may be a visible foundation of unity in faith and communion in charity.”
The group highlighted the significance of the new pope’s choice of name as the Church approaches the 134th anniversary of Rerum Novarum, the 1891 encyclical of Pope Leo XIII that laid the groundwork for Catholic Social Teaching.
“This new chapter invites us to renew our mission – to witness the love of Christ through concrete acts of compassion, justice, and hope for the world’s most vulnerable, with the dignity of every person at the centre,” the statement read.
Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo, president of Caritas Internationalis, described Caritas as “a manifestation of God’s love in action.”
“We stand ready to walk with the Holy Father as the charitable arm of the Church, building a community that serves and uplifts every person with dignity,” he said.
Alistair Dutton, the confederation’s secretary general, said the new pontiff’s focus on peace, dialogue, and solidarity signals a clear commitment to a missionary Church.
“Pope Leo’s immediate identification with issues of peace, solidarity, dialogue and charity, and particularly his commitment to people who suffer is an early indication to his commitment to a missionary Church for the poor and social justice,” Dutton said.
Pope Leo XIV is a Chicago-born Augustinian who served as bishop in Chiclayo, Peru, and later as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. He was also a member of the Caritas Peru Board of Directors from 2022 to 2024.
Sean Callahan, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, called the election “a momentous occasion for American Catholics.”
“We are overjoyed by the election of Pope Leo XIV and look forward to his leadership and guidance,” Callahan said. “As the humanitarian organisation for the U.S. Church, CRS is proud to mark his historic election.”
Caritas Internationalis, which has 162 member organizations in over 200 countries and territories, reaffirmed its commitment to serve the most vulnerable through humanitarian response, development programs, and advocacy.
Citing Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, the group said it remains committed to hearing “both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” and to building “a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world – where no one is excluded and love knows no boundaries.”
