In a warm address delivered at the Vatican’s Consistory Hall on May 4, 2026, Pope Leo XIV encouraged leaders of Catholic Charities USA to persevere in their mission, even amid mounting challenges, by grounding their work firmly in the love of Christ.
Speaking during the Easter season, the Pope framed Christian service through the lens of the Resurrection narratives, recalling Christ’s promise from the Gospel of Gospel of Matthew: “I am with you always, even to the end of time.” This assurance, he said, remains essential for those engaged in the demanding work of serving the poor.
Acknowledging both personal and institutional difficulties — such as limited resources, public misunderstanding, and discouragement — the Pope pointed to the experience of the early Church, particularly in the Acts of the Apostles. Just as the first Christians navigated tensions and logistical challenges, today’s charitable organizations must remain steadfast, trusting in Christ’s continued presence.
Pope Leo XIV highlighted that these trials are not signs of failure but invitations to deeper faith. Drawing on Gospel encounters like that of Saint Thomas the Apostle and the disciples on the road to Emmaus, he emphasized that Christ often draws closest in moments of doubt and frustration.
At the heart of his message was a call to charity that goes beyond material assistance. “It must be the charity of Christ that compels you,” he said, echoing Second Letter to the Corinthians. Service to the poor, he explained, is not only about meeting immediate needs but about conveying the love of Jesus in a way that restores dignity and offers true rest.
The Pope also cited his Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te, noting that love for neighbor is a concrete sign of love for God. Yet he added an important nuance: authentic charity includes opening a path for others to encounter God personally. In this sense, the mission of Catholic Charities becomes both humanitarian and deeply evangelizing.
Referencing Christ’s teaching in the Gospel of Matthew — “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” — the Pope described charitable work as a “mutual encounter” with Christ. Those who serve the poor, he said, come into contact with the living presence of Jesus himself.
He concluded by returning to the hope of Easter, invoking the promise from the Book of Revelation that God is “making all things new.” This hope, he urged, should guide and sustain every act of service, especially in difficult times.
Entrusting the organization to the intercession of Mary Immaculate, patroness of the United States, Pope Leo XIV imparted his Apostolic Blessing, offering prayers for peace, joy, and perseverance in their mission.
