Pope Francis

In his homily to open the 2013 Papal Conclave, Cardinal Angelo Sodano asked God to provide a pope who would proclaim the Gospel message of mercy. That prayer was answered with the election of Pope Francis to be the 266th Bishop of Rome and leader of the Universal Catholic Church.

From the beginning of his Pontificate, Pope Francis has challenged all Catholics to reorient themselves toward helping the poor. His humility and heart for the poor have inspired the world to focus more on providing the Corporal Works of Mercy to all of the human family.

Jim Cavnar with Pope Francis
Cross Catholic Outreach President Jim Cavnar with Pope Francis
Photo courtesy of L’Osservatore Romano
President Jim Cavnar with Pope Benedict XVI
Cross Catholic Outreach President Jim Cavnar with Pope Benedict XVI
Photo courtesy of L’Osservatore Romano
Jim with Pope John Paul
Cross Catholic Outreach President Jim Cavnar with Pope John Paul II in 2004
Photo courtesy of L’Osservatore Romano

Cross Catholic President James Cavnar has met with Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis as part of our collaboration with the Vatican. He was among those invited to receive a private audience with the Holy Father to discuss the inseparable relationship between faith and charity.

Cross Catholic Outreach is honored to collaborate with the Papal Almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski and the Dicastery for the Service of Charity. 

But our collaboration with the Dicastery is just one facet of our Catholic outreach to the poorest of the poor worldwide. Cross Catholic Outreach also works alongside priests, nuns and Catholic lay missionaries as they serve in the trenches, helping them provide food, water, housing, medical care, education, economic empowerment, spiritual support and other ministries of mercy to those in desperate need around the world.

In our mission to help the poor, we are inspired by the example of Pope Francis, who in 2017 established the Annual World Day of the Poor, saying, “We are called, then, to draw near to the poor, to encounter them, to meet their gaze, to embrace them and to let them feel the warmth of love that breaks through their solitude.” The annual observance is now celebrated each year on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Our collaboration extends from local parishes all the way to Rome, and we hope you will join our efforts to help the poor by becoming a donor, hosting a Food Packing event or asking your pastor to host an Outreach Priest. 

About how you can get involved.