Pope's Message to Catholic Charities USA

"Poverty, in particular understanding its root causes and finding innovative ways to reduce it, was the focus of Catholic Charities USA's annual national gathering Oct. 4-7 in Charlotte.

"Discussions had extra urgency given the stagnating number of Americans living at or below the poverty line. . . .

"A message from Pope Francis could not have been more fitting for the 500-plus people from Catholic Charities agencies and partners across the United States as they opened their proceedings.

"'Be merciful,' the pope said, speaking in his native Spanish in a personalized video message. 'I ask you to place the poor ahead of yourselves in everything you do.'. . .

"He commented on the NASCAR-tinged theme, 'Setting the Pace, Changing the Course.' Charlotte is home to one of the auto racing association's main offices.

"'I really like the theme . . . because it's really fitting with what I wanted to share with you,' Pope Francis said.

"'You are the very hands of Jesus in the world. Your witness helps change the course of many people, many families and many communities,' he continued. 'You are the engine of the church that's responsible for the church's love, or caritas. You set the pace for the church to be present in the world, day in and day out.'"

A recent article in the Boston Pilot reported the Catholic Charities USA's conference and the Pope's message to conference participants.

To access the complete report, please visit:

The Boston Pilot: 'Place the poor' ahead of everything, Catholic Charities workers told (17 OCT 14)