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Pope Francis’ greeting to the stewards, trustees and members of the “Papal Foundation”
Clementine Hall – Friday, 12 April 2024
The Papal Foundation is the only charitable organization in the United States dedicated exclusively
to fulfilling the requests of the Holy Father for the needs of the Church
Dear brothers and sisters,
I am pleased to greet all of you, the members, trustees, and stewards of The Papal Foundation on the occasion of your annual pilgrimage to Rome.
During this Easter season, we celebrate the Lord’s resurrection and his triumph over sin and death. Indeed, the stone in front of the tomb has been rolled back, and we are invited to look up at Jesus and welcome him into our lives, and say “yes” to him once again. In this way, the abiding presence of the Risen Christ will always be a source of joy that no one can take from us (Jn 16:22 –So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you).
Since its inception, the Foundation has been a vessel of this Easter joy by bringing the closeness, compassion and tender love of Jesus to countless brothers and sisters around the world.
Your support for various educational, charitable, and apostolic projects promotes the integral development of so many people, including the poor, refugees, migrants, and increasingly those affected by war and violence.
At the same time, the scholarships granted to laity, consecrated religious, seminarians and priests from developing countries enable them to study at the Pontifical universities in Rome, at the heart of the Church, and equip their recipients to be more effective witnesses of the Gospel in their own countries and beyond.
Through these various worthy initiatives, you continue to help the Successors of Peter to build up many local churches and to care for many of the less fortunate, thus fulfilling the mandates entrusted to the Apostle by our Lord (cf. Lk 22:31-32 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,[a] that he might sift you[b] like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren.”, Jn21:17 –He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep). For all of your generosity, thank you very much.
As you well know, your work finds its ultimate source and inspiration in our Catholic faith, which must be continually nourished by participation in the life of the Church, the reception of the sacraments, and time spent quietly before the Lord in prayer and adoration.
Let us not forget to adore the Lord. We have neglected this form of prayer and we need to take it up again: adoration of the Lord in silence. In this regard, your visit occurs in the midst of the Year of Prayer as the Church is preparing to celebrate the Jubilee of 2025.
Through our perseverance in prayer, we gradually become “one single ‘heart and soul’ (cf. Acts 4:32 – Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common.)” with both Jesus and others, “which then translates into solidarity and the sharing of our daily bread” (cf. Letter to Archbishop Rino Fisichella for the Jubilee 2025, 11 February 2022).
This fruit of our spiritual lives is important for your noble efforts, for although you may never meet them personally, the programs of The Papal Foundation foster a spiritual and fraternal bond with people from many different cultures, languages, and regions who receive assistance.
Your service is all the more necessary in our time, marked as it is by a growing culture of indifference and individualism.
I send you my best wishes on your visit to the See of Peter and ask you to pray for me.
Entrusting you and your families to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church,
I impart my Blessing as a pledge of joy and strength in the Risen Lord. I thank you!
