Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has praised Caritas Internationalis for its unwavering commitment to people facing hardship, saying the organization’s closeness to those in need strengthens the Church’s credibility.

Addressing the representative council of Caritas Internationalis at the Vatican on Friday, Pope thanked the global charity network for its dedication to vulnerable communities, especially displaced families and those who often feel forgotten.

He reminded the group that Caritas has long reflected the Church’s belief that Christ shows a special love for the poor, the abandoned, and those pushed to the margins of society. “Thank you for the steadfast service that your organization continues to offer to the whole Church,” he said.

Pope highlighted that this commitment to the poor is rooted in the Eucharist, where Christ’s love is offered fully and without limits. He recalled themes from his Apostolic Exhortation "Dilexi te", which emphasizes that the love Christians receive from Christ must always move outward in service. “Love sends us forth; love makes us servants; love opens our eyes to the wounds of others,” he said.

Calling Caritas a “luminous sign of the Church’s maternal love,” Pope Leo expressed gratitude for the organization’s willingness to walk with the Successor of Peter in serving every person with dignity. He also linked their mission to the three principles he highlighted in his first address to the Diplomatic Corps: peace, justice and truth.

Pope stressed that the work of Caritas must always remain practical and rooted in real human lives. “Wherever you accompany a displaced family, defend the rights of the poor, or offer a listening heart to the forgotten, the Church’s witness becomes ever more credible,” he said.

He encouraged the organization to continue supporting local Churches, building strong lay leadership, and maintaining unity within its international network. The Church’s mission, he said, flourishes when people walk together, guided by the Holy Spirit.

Pope Leo ended his address with a prayer, asking Mary, Mother of the Poor, to guide and strengthen Caritas’ members so they may remain “pilgrims of hope and artisans of peace.” He also prayed that God bless them with courage, perseverance and joy in their work.