Abdelrahman
Vatican Critiques U.S. Cuts to USAID Amid Growing Humanitarian Concerns
VATICAN CITY – The Vatican’s charity arm expressed grave concerns on Monday regarding the U.S. government’s plans to significantly reduce its foreign aid programs, branding the move as “reckless” and warning that it could lead to the deaths of millions. Cardinal Michael Czerny, who is a key advisor to Pope Francis on global development, urged the Trump administration to adhere to fundamental Christian values of compassion and service to others.
Cardinal Czerny, a respected Czech-born Canadian Jesuit, plays a significant role in Francis’ papacy, overseeing the Vatican’s focus on issues related to migration, environmental stewardship, and development through the church’s Caritas Internationalis charity.
On Monday, Caritas issued an alarming statement, cautioning that the proposed cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) could endanger millions of lives. The organization highlighted the potential for hundreds of millions to be thrust into extreme poverty as a byproduct of these funds being withdrawn.
For the year 2023, USAID has been the primary force behind U.S. international humanitarian assistance, managing over $40 billion in funds, which constitutes nearly 40% of the global aid budget. The Trump administration, along with supporters like billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has notably targeted USAID in their broader challenge to federal spending. This sweeping funding freeze has largely halted USAID’s operations worldwide, although a federal judge recently issued a temporary pause to plans that would have displaced thousands of agency employees.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Cardinal Czerny acknowledged that while each new administration has the authority to examine its foreign aid budget and implement changes, dismantling an agency that has ongoing funding commitments is detrimental.
“There are ongoing programs and established commitments, and breaking those is a serious concern,” he remarked. “While it’s within every government’s rights to reevaluate its budget, advance notice would be beneficial to allow alternative funding sources to be identified.”
Catholic Relief Services, a major non-governmental beneficiary of USAID funding, has already raised alarms about the impending cuts. Other programs, including those from Caritas at various diocesan and national levels, are also feeling the repercussions of the changes, Czerny added.
Caritas has urgently called on governments globally to persuade the U.S. administration to reconsider its stance. The organization emphasized that halting USAID assistance would not only risk essential services for countless individuals but could also disrupt years of progress in humanitarian aid, provoke instability in vulnerable regions, and drive many into severe poverty or even death.
Although substantial, the USAID budget represents less than 1% of the U.S. gross domestic product—far below the biblical standard of tithing 10% of one’s earnings, Czerny noted.
He also acknowledged Pope Francis’ critiques of the conditions often attached to Western aid, which may conflict with Catholic teachings, such as programs promoting gender ideology. The Trump administration has claimed to focus on eliminating these “woke” programs as part of its cuts to USAID.
“If the government believes that its programs are influenced by ideology, then reforming them would be a more effective approach than shutting them down,” stated Czerny.
Further complicating matters is the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants, a significant area of concern for the Vatican and Catholic leadership in the U.S. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reported that more than 8,000 arrests have occurred since Trump took office. Many detainees face confinement in federal prisons, while others are reportedly held at Guantanamo Bay facilities.
“A crackdown is not an effective way to manage such affairs or ensure justice,” commented Czerny, whose family sought refuge in Canada after World War II. “It pains me to see so many individuals suffering and even being terrorized by these measures.”
Czerny expressed hope that compassionate individuals would rally to protect those who have been rendered vulnerable by current policies.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a strong statement against President Trump’s initial executive orders, expressing deep concern over potential negative consequences for immigrants, refugees, foreign aid, and environmental issues—particularly impacting the most vulnerable segments of the population.
Pope Francis, motivated by the biblical teaching to “welcome the stranger,” has made supporting migrants a hallmark of his papacy, urging nations to embrace, protect, and assist those fleeing dire situations such as violence, poverty, and climate disasters. Czerny underscored the expectation that governments should act within their capabilities to fulfill these humanitarian responsibilities.
“And I believe there are only a few exceptions, like Lebanon, where nations are truly stretched beyond their limits,” he stated, emphasizing a collective duty as humans and as Christians to respond to those in need.
Associated Press religion coverage is supported through collaboration with The Conversation US, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is exclusively responsible for the content.
