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Rome, May 28, 2019 (SIGNIS) Caritas Internationalis held its 21st General Assembly, with the theme “One Human Family, One Common Home”, inspired by Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’.
The colourful General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis counted 450 delegates from more than 150 countries and took place in Rome from May 23rd until May 28th. For the first time, there were participants from Arab countries and China.
The Assembly began with the Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Pope gave a strong address, delivering three words as guidance: humility, communion, renunciation.The opening session was guided by the President of Caritas Internationalis, Card. Tagle, and the Secretary General, Michel Roy. Among the many special guests were Card. Barreto, representing the preparation of the Synod for Amazonia, José Graziano da Silva, director-general of FAO, Ambassadors, representatives of partner organisations such as CIDSE, OXFAM, IFAD (among others) and SIGNIS.
Caritas is an expression of the Charity of the Church, deeply inspired from her Social Teachings, as noted by Card. Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Human Integral Development.