Cross Catholic Outreach, a Popemobile becoming a Hopemobile and supporting the charitable works of Pope Leo XIV

 

Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowds in St. Peter's Square from aboard the popemobile 

Church

• Pope Leo XIV
• charitable organizations
• interview
• United States

Cross Catholic Outreach supporting Popes' charitable outreach

Following the launch of an initiative promoted by the Dicastery for the Service of Charity to assist children affected by war, the President of Cross Catholic Outreach reflects on the charitable organization’s 25 years of service to the poor and vulnerable, and on its “Road Trip for Hope” project involving a popemobile donated by the Dicastery itself on behalf of the Pope.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov 

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29/04/2026

A popemobile in the U.S.: A solidarity road trip for war-affected children

Before his death, Pope Francis entrusted one of the popemobiles to the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, asking that it be used for the benefit of the poor and vulnerable and continue to serve those most in need.

Today, that Popemobile will take part in a “Road Trip for Hope,” an initiative promoted and supported by the Dicastery headed by the papal almoner, Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, and made possible by the charitable organization "Cross Catholic Outreach".

As Michele Sagarino, President of the organization, told Vatican News shortly after greeting Pope Leo XIV at the conclusion of Wednesday’s General Audience, “Pope Francis entrusted his popemobile to be used after his death to serve the poor and vulnerable, and we are responding by bringing it across America to share the story of the Catholic faith and support children affected by war and conflict.”

Sagarino also explained that since its inception, Cross Catholic has worked in 90 countries and helped provide almost $5 billion worth of aid.

Cross Catholic Outreach's statutes have been given official canonical recognition by the Holy See. It has also supported the Popes' charitable outreach through the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, then the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and later directly with the papal almoner, the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.

'Hopemobile' tour across U.S. to help raise funds for children affected by war

"The popemobile has always represented the Holy Father’s closeness to people. Now it becomes a vehicle of charity, solidarity, and hope," Sagarino said.

She explained that they are taking Pope Francis’ popemobile, transforming it into the “Hopemobile,” and taking it on a road trip across America—3,700 miles from New York to California.

Along the way, Hallow, the largest Catholic prayer app in the world, will film a video series that will premiere on YouTube. Through live activations and the release of the series over several weeks, Cross Catholic plans to raise money for children around the world affected by war and to take inspiration from these “heroes of the faith” who sacrificed their entire lives for the sake of the Gospel.

Sagarino was joined by Fr. David Caron, OP, D.Min., Vice President of Spiritual, Cultural, and Staff Development; Sandi Pino, Chief of Staff; and Shannon Burns, Associate Director of Clergy and Diocesan Relations.

Supporting the Popes' charitable outreach

For decades, Cross Catholic Outreach has supported the charitable outreach of the Popes, and it continues to do so today.

Sagarino reflected on her encounter with Pope Leo, noting how providential it seemed that she and her leadership were at the General Audience following the Pope's recent Apostolic Journey, to which he dedicated his catechesis.

"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," she said. "I think that's very similar to what we do at Cross Catholic Outreach as well. So that was beautiful in itself, and then being able to meet the Pope and share all that Cross Catholic Outreach is doing around the world. We have worked since our inception in 90 countries and helped with almost $5 billion worth of aid."

She recalled that they helped Pope Leo's former Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, and expressed their interest in continuing to work together to help the poor, vulnerable, and needy.

"Our mission statement is to mobilize the global church to transform the poor and their communities materially and spiritually for the glory of Jesus Christ," she said.

That aspect—working materially and spiritually together, "with God at the center"—is truly important to the organization.

As of 2026, she explained that Cross Catholic has hundreds of programs in nearly 35 countries, providing support with water, housing, education, microfinance, and other sectors, always keeping the spiritual dimension at the heart of their work.

Always based on Jesus Christ

"Our charity has the stamp of the Holy Father as we give aid across the world; his approval of being a true Catholic ministry providing aid through the Church," Sagarino explained. "What a beautiful honor that is."

"We continue to give and have helped with many disasters—from the Ukraine war, providing ambulances and medical aid, to food relief. We've also helped in Haiti; in Guatemala with a housing program; and in Kenya, where we helped build a large hospital—all at the request of the Pope. We provided the funds and continued support with many programs because we believe in long-term aid. It’s been a beautiful partnership both ways."

Meanwhile, Fr. Caron, OP, Vice President of Spiritual, Cultural, and Staff Development, spoke to Vatican News about Cross Catholic Outreach's mission and its support of the Pope's charitable work.

"For us, the work at Cross Catholic is really a concrete example of the corporal works of mercy—helping people build homes, providing water and housing. But we also partner with generous donors who know they are blessed and want to share their blessings with those less fortunate. So it's a win-win in many directions, but it’s always based on Jesus Christ."

Living out corporal works of mercy

Sandi Pino, Chief of Staff, reflected on the meaning of their work for the Church and the Pope.

"Our mission is to mobilize the global Catholic Church. I'm especially passionate about mobilizing parishes, schools, and families, whose hearts are transformed by the work we do together, so that we can transform the lives of the poor and their families in the developing world. I love seeing people of all ages come together to serve, to live out the corporal works of mercy, feeding the hungry and providing water to the thirsty."

She recalled visiting Africa with Michele Sagarino last year.

"It meant so much to meet families whose lives will be forever changed by not having to walk miles every day to get clean water—something we take for granted. I just love being part of this work that God has called us to, and being in Rome, this sacred, holy place, inspires us every time we visit."

Joy on the faces of little children

Shannon Burns, Associate Director of Clergy and Diocesan Relations, shared what he considers one of the organization's most heartwarming ministries.

"One of our most beautiful ministries is called 'Box of Joy.' It’s a ministry for children. Many poor children around the world have never received a Christmas present. Box of Joy is where families and parish groups donate toys, pack them in boxes, and ship them to developing countries."

Sagarino even presented one of these boxes to Pope Francis, sharing the charity's work on the frontlines.

"We brought a Box of Joy to share with him. Pope Francis was so excited to learn about this ministry," Burns recalled.

Nearly a million children have received Box of Joy gifts in nine countries, offering a joyful way to evangelize our Catholic faith.

"We put in a Rosary and a story of Jesus," Sagarino concluded. "Seeing children receive a gift for the very first time is incredible. Our Church is doing so much, and it's wonderful to see it in action. It's such a blessing."

Catholic Church and Catholic agencies ramp up world-wide relief efforts for hurricane ravaged Jamaica

 

Catholics mobilize in Caribbean following Category 5 hurricane 

Residents help move food supplies at a community center before distribution to the Whitehouse community in Westmoreland, Jamaica, one of the areas most severely affected by the passage of Hurricane Melissa, on Nov. 2, 2025. | Credit: Ricardo Makyn/AFP via Getty Images

By Tessa Gervasini

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 6, 2025 / 14:15 pm

Catholic leaders and agencies have mobilized to help communities left devastated after Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica.

The Category 5 hurricane swept through the Caribbean with sustained winds of 185 miles per hour and claimed up to 50 lives after making landfall on Oct. 28. Jamaica suffered the largest impact, but neighboring nations also experienced immense effects including flash flooding and landslides.

In Jamaica, practically no buildings along the country’s southern coast remain intact. Areas have experienced structural failures, immense roof damage, floods, power outages, and communication disruptions. Families have a long road to recovery after many lost loved ones, property, possessions, and livelihoods.

To help communities suffering from Hurricane Melissa’s aftermath, Catholic agencies are on the ground supporting relief efforts and fundraising across the globe to provide aid. 

Providing aid 

Dominican friars with St. Martin’s Missions, an initiative that supports communities in Jamaica and Grenada, are working to help communities most affected. Father Bede Mullens, OP, one of the friars working in Jamaica, told CNA they are based in Kingston, “which mercifully was left largely unscathed by the hurricane.”

“Nonetheless, some of our poorer parishioners in August Town, an impoverished neighborhood, did lose roofs, walls, and in one case pretty much the whole house,” Mullens said. With the help of donations from across the globe, St. Martin’s will purchase and provide materials for repairs and food.

Mullens explained that “after recent panic-buying, some food items are hard to come by, and food prices on the whole are set to go up in the coming months, as the part of the island hardest hit is a major agricultural area.”

This Friday, Nov. 7, the friars will distribute 300 meals to students at the University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica, and to several less-well-off parishioners. Mullens said: “We are trying to arrange sponsorship from local benefactors for students in need to receive support for food and personal hygiene items.”

Across the island the friars have been able to contact some parishes near Montego Bay, which suffered great damage. “One of the churches is currently operating as a shelter with just half a roof,” Mullens said.

The friars have also coordinated provisions of basic building materials and essentials including water and baby food that will be transported to Sacred Heart Church near Montego Bay and St. Agnes Church in Chester Castle.

When the roads reopen and the friars are able to make contact with more parishes in other areas, they plan to also assist their rebuilding efforts and support the local community needs.

“There is, of course, a massive need for material assistance, but for us it is very important that St. Martin’s bears witness to our worldwide solidarity in the body of Christ,” Mullens said. “We belong to a Church that is at once truly Catholic and truly one, at once global and personal.”

Franciscan Friars Charities (FFC), the charitable arm of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, activated the Franciscan Relief Fund to help the people in western Jamaica recover from extensive damage.

“The friars in Negril have quickly mobilized to assess the community’s needs after the storm,” FFC said in a statement. “Each day they ground their hearts in faith through morning prayer and daily Mass before heading out into the community to provide vital services.”

The friars are serving warm meals daily at St. Anthony Kitchen, a soup kitchen in Negril. They anticipate a significant increase in the number of people coming to the kitchen, expecting approximately 400 to 500 people a day.

The friars are cleaning the Revival Health Clinic, which provides basic medical care, and are looking into creating a mobile clinic to visit remote areas. They are also visiting parishioners, many of whom have lost their homes, and providing them with immediate relief including water and food.

“Communicating with our friars in Negril has been difficult because there’s no electricity and the cellular services are down,” said Brother Jim Bok, OFM. “There’s just unbelievable destruction. It’s going to take years to recover. A tremendous amount of outside support will be needed to help deal with it.”

Organizations respond with action 

Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, an Illinois-based organization that partners with organizations, hospitals, and clinics around the world, is working directly with Food for the Poor and other organizations transporting and distributing aid.

After learning there was an urgent need for diapers, Mission Outreach’s warehouse team mobilized to send out 4,000 it had available. It also shipped out a 40-foot container to Jamaica filled with requested medical supplies and equipment.

A number of Catholic relief organizations including Cross Catholic Outreach (CCO) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) are fundraising to send food, medicines, and housing supplies to ministry partners in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Cuba.

CCO said it is “sending shipments of recovery supplies to the Compassionate Franciscan Sisters of the Poor and will airlift medical supplies into Montego Bay when conditions are safe enough to do so.” It is also working to help the Diocese of Mandeville to rebuild St. Theresa Kindergarten, which was destroyed in the storm.

CRS is working to help on the ground with “a team of 100 staff in Haiti and local partners in Jamaica and the region,” the organization reported. “CRS and the Catholic Church are committed to walking with families through every phase of recovery — from immediate relief to long-term rebuilding. ”

The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs will coordinate with the Catholic Church to distribute $3 million in humanitarian assistance. The funds will go directly to helping those impacted in eastern Cuba by the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.