In a message addressed to the Catholic Philanthropy Network (FADICA: Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities), Pope Leo XIV praised the work of this American organization which, for half a century, has raised funds and supported Church initiatives around the world, in collaboration with various dicasteries of the Roman Curia.

In his letter to Alexia Kelley, President and CEO of FADICA, the Pope emphasizes that the 50th anniversary celebration coincides with Lent, a period in which the Church invites us to intensify works of mercy alongside prayer and fasting. Leo XIV presents Catholic philanthropy as a concrete expression of God’s love, recalling that “every act of love toward one’s neighbor is, in some way, a reflection of divine charity,” quoting directly from the encyclical *Dilexi te*.

Drawing inspiration from the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Pope explains that Jesus teaches us to discern how to help our neighbor by imitating the one who “selflessly gave his time and resources to someone he had never met before.” He emphasizes the “style of God” marked by closeness, compassion, and tenderness, and affirms that helping those who cannot repay the favor—the poorest and most vulnerable—makes us “instruments of the Lord.”

The message highlights FADICA’s contribution to strengthening Catholic education, promoting social justice, defending human dignity and life, and caring for the most vulnerable. Leo XIV encourages the network’s members to persevere in their “worthy mission,” assuring them that through their service they inspire authentic encounters with Christ and participate in the Church’s mission. He concludes with a hopeful promise: “The Most High is never outdone in generosity toward those who serve Him in the most needy,” and entrusts them all to the Virgin Mary, imparting his Apostolic Blessing.