With profound gratitude and sorrow, Caritas Internationalis joins the global Catholic community in mourning the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. He was a beacon of compassion, justice, and unwavering commitment to the dignity of every human person.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was an extraordinary advocate for the poorest and most vulnerable members of society, reminding the world that “the option for those who are least, those whom society discards” is at the heart of the Church’s mission. His leadership inspired the Caritas Confederation to serve with greater love, humility, and dedication in our mission to promote integral human development and solidarity.

In response to the Pope’s invitation to create a new kind of solidarity and inspired by the Encyclical Letters Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, Caritas Internationalis launched the global campaign Together We – Act Today for a Better Tomorrow on the occasion of its 70th anniversary in December 2021. The campaign aimed to unite people in taking action to combat poverty, restore dignity to the excluded, and protect nature in the spirit of integral ecology.

“Pope Francis’ firm commitment to justice, compassion and the preferential option for the poor will continue to inspire our work,” said Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis. “Let us not forget that true charity is a sharing which does not judge, which does not demand the conversion of others, and which seeks to alleviate the suffering of the poorest.” His constant messages of mercy, hope and solidarity call us to stand with the marginalised and work tirelessly for a more just world. “Together with so many other charitable Church organisations, Caritas thus reveals the power of Christian love and the desire of the Church to meet Jesus in each person, especially when he/she is poor or suffering.”

Pope Francis’ commitment to the poor was demonstrated through his steadfast support for Caritas’ work. In 2013, he rallied support for Caritas’ global campaign One Human Family, Food for All to fight against hunger, declaring, “The scandal that millions of people suffer from hunger must not paralyze us, but push each and every one of us to act: singles, families, communities, institutions, governments, to eliminate this injustice… I invite you to make space in your heart for this emergency of respecting the God-given rights of everyone to have access to adequate food [and to] become more conscious in our food choices, which often lead to waste and a poor use of the resources available to us.” His unwavering support continued with the Share the Journey campaign in 2017 and most recently the Jubilee: Turn Debt into Hope campaign.

Pope Francis consistently affirmed the mission of Caritas, saying, “Caritas is not just an organisation, it is a way of living: to be close to others, to be close to those who suffer.” His words continue to inspire Caritas to accompany those most in need with empathy and compassion. Addressing Caritas leaders in 2013, he described Caritas as “the caress of the Church to its people, the caress of the Mother Church to her children, her tenderness and closeness.” At the 2015 General Assembly, he reminded those present that, “One who lives the Caritas mission is not a simple worker but indeed a witness to Christ. A person who seeks Christ and allows himself be sought by Christ.”

“His Holiness’ leadership reminded us that love and service must be at the heart of our mission,” added His Eminence Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, President of Caritas Internationalis. “A Church without charity does not exist.” We will honour his legacy by continuing to walk alongside those in need, guided by his profound example of faith and humility.

During his papacy, Pope Francis witnessed the impact of Caritas’ work by connecting with those most in need across the seven regions where our member organizations work. In 2024, he visited Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor Leste, reminding us in Papua New Guinea of our great responsibility to protect natural resources for the common good. In 2023, he visited Mongolia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. While in Juba, South Sudan, he made a heartfelt appeal to end all conflict and resume the peace process: “I want to renew my forceful and heartfelt appeal to end all conflict and to resume the peace process in a serious way, so that violence can end and people can return to living in dignity. Only with peace, stability and justice can there be development and social reintegration. There is no room for further delay: great numbers of children born in recent years have known only the reality of camps for displaced persons. They have no memory of what it means to have a home; they are losing their connection with their native land, their roots and their traditions.”

We give thanks for his prophetic voice in defence of peace, social justice, and the care of our common home. His legacy will continue to guide and strengthen us as we accompany communities affected by poverty, conflict, and inequality.

On behalf of the entire Caritas family in over 162 countries and 200 territories, we offer our sincere condolences to our sisters and brothers throughout the Catholic Church and all those who have been touched by his remarkable life and ministry. May his soul rest in eternal peace.