Catholic Charities USA encouraged by Pope amid challenges of service

By Thaddeus Jones and Linda Bordoni

Pope Leo XIV offered words of encouragement and gratitude to the leadership of Catholic Charities USA during a meeting on Monday at the Vatican, affirming their mission to serve the poor and vulnerable as “a manifestation of Christ’s love for humankind.”

Speaking to journalists after the papal audience, Kerry Alys Robinson, president of the organisation – the American branch of Caritas Internationalis – said the Pope expressed appreciation  “that the work of Catholic Charities across all 50 states, the five U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia is a manifestation of Christ’s love for humankind and serves as a beacon of hope.”

She said that Pope Leo recognised the suffering endured by those assisted by Catholic Charities “is compounded and exacerbated by poverty.” The Holy Father, she added, also acknowledged the challenges faced by those engaged in charitable ministry and urged the delegation to remain steadfast in their service.

“He reminded us that we are in the season of Easter and that, while it is difficult to bear witness to human suffering day after day, we should remember Christ’s promise: ‘I am with you always,’” she said.

Robinson described the encounter as “deeply moving,” adding that the Pope’s words left the delegation “confirmed in our commitment to serve poor and vulnerable people of all backgrounds, of all faiths.”

‘Hard work, but deeply meaningful’

Asked about the Pope’s reference in his address to the difficulties confronting Catholic Charities, Robinson said she understood his remarks primarily in spiritual and pastoral terms.

“I heard them in light of the reality that this work is hard because you are bearing witness to human suffering every day,” she said. “There never seems to be enough resources to meet the plight of poor families and communities.”

She added that Pope Leo’s words reflected an understanding that charitable service is not merely administrative or logistical, but relational and evangelical.

“He was essentially saying: I know this is not easy,” Robinson said. “When you know the names of your clients, when you know their stories, and see their humanity, the relationship becomes a two-way street. We are reminded how close God is to the poor.”

Responding to financial and political pressures 

Robinson also addressed the financial and political pressures affecting Catholic charitable agencies in the United States, particularly following reductions in some federal refugee resettlement funding.

She noted that while Catholic Charities USA itself is “largely, almost entirely privately funded,” some local Catholic Charities agencies have experienced challenges due to cuts in refugee-related government support.

“The cuts we experienced across the ecosystem were largely in the space of refugee resettlement,” she said, estimating that approximately 450 positions were lost out of 45,000 full-time Catholic Charities employees nationwide.

Despite these setbacks, Robinson said the organisation remains committed to its mission.

“We’re hanging in there,” she said.

She added that Catholic Charities continues to rely on donor generosity to fill funding gaps and meet growing needs.

“When Americans are made aware of the names and faces of hungry people, they want to help,” Robinson said, pointing to a recent emergency food appeal that enabled the organisation to distribute 25 million pounds of food nationwide after federal nutrition assistance lapsed.

‘A merciful way of encountering those we serve’

Robinson stressed that Pope Leo understands the distinctive witness of Catholic charitable work as rooted in the Church’s spiritual mission.

“It’s clear he understands that we are not simply a social service agency under the auspices of the Catholic Church,” she said, “but that we commit to a merciful way of encountering those we are serving.”

She said the Pope’s appreciation for that dimension of Catholic charity “struck a chord” with the delegation.

“It’s not just how we deliver humanitarian aid, but the merciful way in which we do it—beholding our client, restoring them to dignity, calling them by name, praying for them.”

Growing unity in the Church’s charitable witness

Robinson also spoke of what she described as growing unity among Catholic leaders in the United States in support of charitable and social ministry.

“I have never seen such unity in the Catholic Church in the U.S.,” she said, pointing to increasing collaboration among bishops, Catholic ministries, educators, and health care leaders.

She credited both the U.S. bishops and Pope Leo with encouraging Catholics to remain committed to the Gospel’s call to mercy. “The bishops are speaking increasingly with a unified voice, reminding all Catholics and people of goodwill about the Gospel mandate to be merciful,” Robinson said.

Reflecting on the audience, she said Pope Leo’s words had strengthened the resolve of Catholic Charities leaders to continue their work in fidelity to the Gospel.