Peru: ACN reveals history of partnership with Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV (© Edgar Beltrán / The Pillar

Source: Aid to the Church in Need

A Catholic charity helping suffering Christians worldwide has highlighted its long-standing - and fruitful - collaboration with the new pontiff.

Regina Lynch, Executive President at Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) (International), said that the charity worked closely with Pope Leo XIV during his time as apostolic administrator of Callao and bishop of Chiclayo in Peru.

While in Callao, he sent a message to ACN, thanking the charity for its support in serving the population, "especially in the poorest areas of our dioceses".

He prayed: "God bless the work carried out by Aid to the Church in Need."

ACN projects in Callao and Chiclayo included more than 4,000 Mass stipends for priests - including missionaries working in remote parts of the Andes - and support for the formation of seminarians and catechists.

Ms Lynch said Pope Leo XIV was "a missionary with over 20 years of experience in the field, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ".

She added that his partnership with the charity continued even after the then Bishop Robert Prevost moved to Rome to become President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, under the Dicastery for Bishops.

ACN has worked closely with the commission for many years.

Earlier this year, the charity liaised with Cardinal Prevost's office during the Latin America and Caribbean Meeting for Synodal Cooperation between 10th and 14th March 2025.

Ms Lynch added: "ACN is proud to be able to say that it contributed to the bishop's missionary efforts in Peru.

"We are committed to continue our work in the service of Christian communities all over the world in unity with Pope Leo XIV, as we have done with his seven immediate predecessors."

ACN was founded in 1947 and in 2011 Pope Benedict XVI elevated the charity to a foundation of pontifical right.

LINK

Aid to the Church in Need: www.acnuk.org