Karol Darmoros, Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik
Visit and Program
The pilgrimage, taking place from April 29 to May 2, includes a rich spiritual and formative program, including Holy Masses, meetings, and visits to the most important places related to the Holy See’s activities. Among them, a special place is given to visiting the Vatican media – the headquarters of Vatican News and Vatican Radio, the first radio station of its kind in the world.
Mission of the Foundation
During a welcome reception in Rome, the activities of The Papal Foundation, a US-based charitable organization supporting the Holy Father’s initiatives in developing countries, were presented. “The mission of The Papal Foundation is to serve the Holy Father and the Roman Catholic Church. We bring and offer our faith, our energy, and our financial resources to share the love of Christ with our poorest brothers and sisters,” emphasized Ward Fitzgerald, President of The Papal Foundation.
Concrete Aid
As Tim Ristoff, Vice President of the organization, pointed out, the scale of support is significant, especially in Africa. “Since 1997, 855 general grants totaling $63 million have been awarded, and since 2011, 69 mission grants worth $4.9 million,” he enumerated. He also added that since 2008, nearly a thousand students have received over $7 million in support through the St. John Paul II Scholarship Program.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop Emeritus of New York and Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, emphasized that its activities are part of the mission of the universal Church and provide concrete help to those most in need.
Support also includes, among other things, the reconstruction of churches, support for schools, orphanages, and health centers, as well as activities for children and those most vulnerable to exclusion.
The Foundation operates in over 130 countries and has provided over $270 million for charitable, educational, and humanitarian projects since 1988. Special care is given to children in difficult situations and those most vulnerable to exclusion.
Development and Cooperation
During the welcome in Rome, the dynamic development of the foundation’s initiatives was also highlighted. In the last 18 months, 27 new donor families have joined, which has allowed almost half of the organization’s five-year goal to be achieved.
The visit to the Vatican is an important moment to strengthen relations with the universal Church and confirm The Papal Foundation’s commitment to serving those most in need.
