The director of CAFOD, Christine Allen, and national director of Aid to the Church in Need (UK) Dr Caroline Hull (Parishioner of the Cathedral), were both in St Peter's Square when the election of the new Pope was announced today.
Dr Hull was in Rome with more than 1,000 supporters of ACN from 23 different countries for the charity's jubilee pilgrimage.
She said: "We welcome our newly elected spiritual leader, Pope Leo, and we join with Catholics throughout the world in prayer for this blessed and brave successor to St Peter. In his very first address to Catholics and all people of good will around the world, Pope Leo chose to focus on God's unconditional love for all people and especially those who suffer. Viva il Papa."
"As a pontifical foundation, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) relies heavily on the support and guidance of the Holy Father, especially on his love and prayers for all those who suffer for their faith."
Aid to the Church in Need was elevated to a foundation of pontifical right by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011. As a pontifical foundation, the charity's constitution and structures are subject to the direct oversight of the pope and the Holy See - Cardinal Mauro Piacenza is ACN's president, a role he was given by Pope Benedict.
