Media CenterCRS Welcomes Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born Pope

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Brittany Wichtendahl
Catholic Relief Services
[email protected]
(757) 748-5003

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, May 8, 2025 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) joins Catholics and people of goodwill around the world in celebrating the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, who was chosen today as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church.

“Habemus Papam! We are overjoyed by the election of Pope Leo XIV and look forward to his leadership and guidance,” said Sean Callahan, CRS’ president and CEO. “As the first pope born in the United States, this is a momentous occasion for American Catholics and, as the humanitarian organization for the U.S. Church, CRS is proud to mark his historic election.”

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was born in Chicago, Illinois and most recently served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. Prior to this, he was the Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, where he lived for more than 20 years.

“Pope Leo XIV’s global experience will surely have an impact on his papacy,” said Callahan. “He has seen, firsthand, the struggles that our sisters and brothers around the world are experiencing. We are confident that he will be a voice for the voiceless and a fierce supporter of human dignity for all people.”

His election comes at a critical time for the global Church, as communities around the world navigate challenges such as increasing hunger, environmental degradation, migration crises and growing debt.

“As an organization committed to upholding dignity for every person, CRS stands ready to support the new Holy Father and continue working in communion with the global Church to build a more just, compassionate world,” said Callahan.

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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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