On the occasion of the funeral of Pope Francis, Christine Allen, Director and CEO of CAFOD (Catholic Agency For Overseas Development), said:
"Pope Francis’ passion was to witness to God’s love, which for him meant challenging economic and climate injustice in the highest corridors of power and calling for a world where the dignity of all can be respected. This mission was a driving force that defined much of his papacy.
As the world comes together to honour and celebrate the life of Pope Francis, we must remember that he left us with unfinished business.
His death in the middle of this Jubilee Year makes him the first Pope to open the sacred door at St Peter’s Basilica, and die without closing it. We therefore must continue his mission of mercy - speaking up for the vulnerable, addressing injustice and giving hope to those trapped by poverty, debt and climate change.
He inspired us in our work at CAFOD so much and we mourn his loss deeply, alongside our colleagues in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo many of whom have fond memories of welcoming him, on his recent visits to their countries.
In this Jubilee year, we of course remember that Pope Francis called us to be ‘pilgrims of hope’, and it is up to all of us now to continue that hope, follow his example and finish what he started: promoting peace, reconciliation and hope, and continuing to fight against injustice and inequality wherever it is found."
For all requests, contact: Rosalind Mayfield +44(0) 7856 799169 rmayfield@cafod.org.uk or Jo Rogers +44 (0) 7969 083371 jrogers@cafod.org.uk
CAFOD’s out-of-hours media line is: +44(0)7919 301429
List of Spokespeople on behalf of CAFOD (Catholic Agency For Overseas Development), before, during and after Pope Francis’s Funeral, from London, Rome and Washington DC.
Spokespeople as follows:
Christine Allen - Director & CEO of CAFOD is available for interview from early on Saturday morning, from London.
Christine met Pope Francis more than once and attended meetings where he spoke. She has a lifetime of experience in overseas development, and can talk about:
· Pope Francis’s profound impact on geopolitical issues including climate change and debt cancellation for low-income countries
· Pope Francis’s legacy, meeting him in person, and seeing how he interacted with others
· How he used his influence to engage proactively, intelligently and strategically with global politics effectively
· What his papacy has meant for the Church, and to the Catholic community in the UK
Nana Anto-Awuakye - leads CAFOD’s work with West African diaspora communities in the UK, and will be available for interview from Rome.
Nana has extensive experience of many of the African countries impacted by Pope Francis during his papacy - where the Catholic church is seeing its greatest growth. She is travelling to Rome for the funeral, and can speak about:
· What Pope Francis’ papacy meant to people, especially in Africa
· His impact on humanitarian work, and drawing attention to areas of conflict
· How diaspora communities in the UK are reacting to news of his death
Neil Thorns - CAFOD Director of Advocacy and Communications is returning from the IMF/World Bank meetings in Washington DC, and can be available for interviews in Washington on Friday, or later on Saturday and Sunday from the UK.
Neil has been a member of the Vatican delegation on climate since 2021 and was on Pope Francis’ Commission for Covid-19. He met Pope Francis more than once and can talk about:
· Pope Francis’ legacy, what he has in common with previous Popes and what makes him unique.
· Meeting Pope Francis and seeing the reaction to him from international leaders
· CAFOD’s work on the Debt Campaign for Jubilee 2025, which seeks reform of the global debt system to prevent people in low income countries becoming trapped in cycles of poverty.
Notes to Editors
Contacts for all interview requests: Rosalind Mayfield +44(0) 7856 799169 rmayfield@cafod.org.uk or Jo Rogers +44 (0) 7969 083371 jrogers@cafod.org.uk
CAFOD’s out-of-hours media line is: +44(0)7919 301429
CAFOD stands for Catholic Agency For Overseas Development. It is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, part of Caritas International, working with communities across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. The agency works with people in need, regardless of race, gender, religion or nationality, to fight poverty and injustice, including those worst hit by climate change.
A Year of Jubilee traditionally takes place once every 25 years in the Catholic church. It dates back to the 1300s and has been marked by the opening of so-called “sacred portals” since 1423. A key theme of
Jubilee is the cancelling of debt. In 2024 Pope Francis called on affluent countries to “forgive the debts of countries that will never be able to repay them” which he declared was“a matter of justice more than generosity”.
For further updates please head to our social media accounts on X @Cafod
@CafodWire and BlueSky. Media clips of CAFOD staff on the passing of Pope Francis are available on our Facebook page, and we have also set-up a Candlelight Fund and a Book of Condolence in his memory.
