🌍 VATICAN CITY – A major Catholic charity group is speaking out against President Donald Trump’s decision to cut U.S. foreign aid, warning that millions of people could suffer because of it.
Caritas Internationalis, a Vatican-based group that helps poor and struggling communities in over 200 countries, said the cuts will be “catastrophic” and could put millions of lives at risk.
“This decision is cruel and chaotic. It threatens the lives and dignity of millions,” the group said in a statement.
What is Foreign Aid, and Why Does It Matter?
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the main organization that helps people in poor countries by providing food, medical care, clean water, and other support.
In 2023, the U.S. government sent $72 billion in aid to different parts of the world. Many Catholic charities, including Caritas Internationalis and Catholic Relief Services, received funding from USAID to run programs that help families in need.
But now, Trump’s administration has stopped funding for these programs, forcing charities to cut back or shut down many of their efforts.
Massive Job Cuts & Program Shutdowns
The decision has already caused major problems:
❌ The U.S. State Department told aid groups to stop working on their projects.
❌ The Trump administration kept only 611 essential USAID workers, down from over 10,000 employees worldwide.
❌ A federal judge blocked some layoffs, but many workers and aid programs are still in danger.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which helps migrants and refugees, has already laid off 50 employees because of the funding cuts.
Meanwhile, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which has around 5,000 employees, warned that more job losses are coming. CRS has a $1.5 billion budget, but half of that comes from USAID, meaning many of its programs could disappear.
Pope Francis Hasn’t Spoken Yet, But He’s Concerned
Although Pope Francis hasn’t commented directly on the foreign aid cuts, he has strongly criticized some of Trump’s policies, especially his plans to deport millions of migrants. The Pope called these actions “a disgrace.”
With so many aid programs at risk, millions of people around the world—especially in poor countries—could lose access to food, medicine, and support. Many charities are now struggling to figure out how they can continue helping people without U.S. funding.
What Happens Next?
For now, some funding is still being reviewed, and a judge has blocked some of the cuts, but many programs are already being shut down.
Catholic charities and other humanitarian groups are urging the U.S. government to rethink the decision and continue funding life-saving programs.
🚨 What do you think? Should the U.S. continue helping other countries, or should it focus on its own problems first?
