The popemobile, the pope's special vehicle, will begin a charity tour of the United States.
On Wednesday at the Vatican, representatives of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity and Cross Catholic Outreach launched the "American Catholic Heroes: The Road Trip for Hope" initiative. According to the official Vatican News outlet, the initiative, which will run from June to July this year, will travel from New York to California to raise funds for victims of war and to promote the dicastery's charitable work.
The tour will also coincide with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, handed the keys over to the president of Cross Catholic Outreach, Michele Sagarino. That same day, Sagarino also met with Pope Leo XIV after his weekly general audience.
Before the audience, she spoke with Vatican Radio about the partnership between her organization and the Holy See. She reflected on Leo's recent trip to Africa and the similarities between her organization's work and his closeness to the vulnerable.
"It couldn't have been more appropriate for the work that Cross Catholic Outreach does — talking about his journey in Africa, being with those who are vulnerable, standing up for them, and also bringing the faith closer to them," Sagarino said of Leo's recent catechesis. "I think that's very similar to what we do at Cross Catholic Outreach as well. We have worked since our inception in 90 countries and helped with almost $5 billion worth of aid."
San Martín at the event launching the initiative thanked Sagarino and Cross Catholic Outreach for their "long collaboration with the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, generously supporting it."
The popemobile that will embark on the U.S. tour was entrusted to the dicastery by Pope Francis to raise funds for those in need.
