Do not separate corporal, spiritual works of mercy, says Pope

June 16, 2014

The board of directors of the Populorum Progressio Foundation, the papal charity that funds education and development efforts for the poor in Latin America, gathered in Rome from June 11 to 13 and announced it granted $1.8 million to 125 projects.

Pope Francis held a 40-minute private audience with the directors in which he emphasized that “Catholic institutions are not NGOs [non-governmental organizations],” according to a statement issued by the Pontifical Council Cor Unum on June 16.

Recalling the yearning for God and eternity in the heart of every person, the Pope also emphasized that the corporal works of mercy “should not be separated from the spiritual,” according to the statement.

In addition, the Pope recalled several of the more frequent themes of his pontificate: the idolatry of money, the discarding of children and the elderly, and the problem of widespread youth unemployment.

 

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Further information:

• Comunicato finale del Pontificio Consiglio "Cor Unum": Riunione annuale del Consiglio di Amministrazione della Fondazione "Populorum progressio" per l’America Latina (Holy See Press Office)