Caritas launches first ever global campaign with Pope Francis’ blessing

The Caritas confederation will launch its first ever global campaign against hunger on 10^th December with a recorded message* from Pope Francis and a global “wave of prayer”.

One Human Family, Food for All unites Caritas organisations to work for an end to hunger by 2025. In his message Pope Francis urges institutions and individuals to take action on this.

Caritas secretary general, Michel Roy, said, “Hunger is a disaster of global proportions. Over 842 million people see their health, opportunities and lives slip away and their children suffer for something that shouldn’t even exist. There’s enough food in the world for everyone to live a dignified life and we must join together our efforts to ensure ‘food for all’.  Together we can do this.”

The wave of prayer will involve Caritas organisations and people of good will from all continents. Starting at midday on the Pacific island of Samoa,  people will join in spiritual reflection about hunger. Click here for more information.

In a letter from Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga to Caritas bishops, the Cardinal encourages people and nations to be more aware about hunger, cut waste, maximise land use for food production and support women farmers, among other things. Read more.

Caritas Internationalis, along with Caritas Italiana and Roma, will hold a press conference for the launch of the campaign at 10.30 on 10th December at the Basilica of Santa Cecilia, piazza Santa Cecilia in Trastevere,  Rome. Cardinal Peter Turkson, Caritas International secretary general Michel Roy, director of Caritas Senegal Abbé Ambroise Tine and director of Caritas Rome, Msgr Enrico Feroci will participate.

This will be followed by participation in the wave of prayer at midday in the church of San Francesco a Ripa in piazza di Francesco d’Assisi at 12pm Rome time. All are welcome to participate in the wave of prayer or follow it on Facebook IAmCaritas or twitter #Food4All.

*Pope Francis’ video message and text are embargoed until 9pm Rome time 9^th December.

For more information contact Michelle Hough: [email protected], 00 39 334 2344 136