Media CenterCRS Sees Hope in Pope Francis' Visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Nikki Gamer
Catholic Relief Services
[email protected]
(978) 884-0003
 

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, Jan. 31, 2023 – Sean Callahan, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), issued the following statement in recognition of Pope Francis’ visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, happening Jan. 31 – Feb. 5.

“As a Catholic organization dedicated to serving the needs of countless communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, we are inspired by the pope’s message of compassion, reconciliation, and harmony. We can only hope his visit reminds the rest of the world of the plight of the millions of people struggling with poverty and of our responsibility, as Catholics, to stand beside them.

Both countries have felt the impacts of protracted conflict and climate change, resulting in some of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world. Massive displacement and skyrocketing hunger have caused tremendous suffering.

The Holy Father’s visit calls us to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in these countries, and to work tirelessly for a world where all can thrive.”

To read more about CRS’ work in South Sudan, including our social cohesion work that supports the peacebuilding process, click here. To read more about CRS’ work in the Democratic Republic of Congo, click here.

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org and follow Catholic Relief Services on social media in English at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube; and in Spanish at: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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