Following the launch of an initiative promoted by the Dicastery for the Service of Charity to assist children affected by war, the President of Cross Catholic Outreach reflects on the charitable organization’s 25 years of service to the poor and vulnerable, and on its “Road Trip for Hope” project involving a popemobile donated by the Dicastery itself on behalf of the Pope.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Before his death, Pope Francis entrusted one of the popemobiles to the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, asking that it be used for the benefit of the poor and vulnerable and continue to serve those most in need.
Today, that Popemobile will take part in a “Road Trip for Hope,” an initiative promoted and supported by the Dicastery headed by the papal almoner, Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, and made possible by the charitable organization “Cross Catholic Outreach“.
As Michele Sagarino, President of the organisation, told Vatican News shortly after greeting Pope Leo XIV at the conclusion of Wednesday’s General Audience, “Pope Francis entrusted his popemobile to be used after his death to serve the poor and vulnerable, and we are responding by bringing it across America to share the story of the Catholic faith and support children affected by war and conflict.”
Sagarino also explained that since its inception, Cross Catholic Outreach has worked in 90 countries and helped provide almost $5 billion worth of aid.
Cross Catholic Outreach’s statutes have been given official canonical recognition by the Holy See. It has also supported the Popes’ charitable outreach through the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, then the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and later directly with the papal almoner, the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.
‘Hopemobile’ tour across U.S. to help raise funds for children affected by war
“The popemobile has always represented the Holy Father’s closeness to people. Now it becomes a vehicle of charity, solidarity, and hope,” Sagarino said.
She explained that they are taking Pope Francis’ popemobile, transforming it into the “Hopemobile,” and taking it on a road trip across America—3,700 miles from New York to California.
Along the way, Hallow, the largest Catholic prayer app in the world, will film a video series that will premiere on YouTube. Through live activations and the release of the series over several weeks, Cross Catholic plans to raise money for children around the world affected by war and to take inspiration from these “heroes of the faith” who sacrificed their entire lives for the sake of the Gospel.
Sagarino was joined by Fr. David Caron, OP, D.Min., Vice President of Spiritual, Cultural, and Staff Development; Sandi Pino, Chief of Staff; and Shannon Burns, Associate Director of Clergy and Diocesan Relations.
Supporting the Popes’ charitable outreach
For decades, Cross Catholic Outreach has supported the charitable outreach of the Popes, and it continues to do so today.
Sagarino reflected on her encounter with Pope Leo, noting how providential it seemed that she and her leadership were at the General Audience following the Pope’s recent Apostolic Journey, to which he dedicated his catechesis.
“It couldn’t have been more appropriate for the work that Cross Catholic Outreach does—talking about his journey in Africa, being with those who are vulnerable, standing up for them, and also bringing the faith closer to them,” she said. “I think that’s very similar to what we do at Cross Catholic Outreach as well. So that was beautiful in itself, and then being able to meet the Pope and share all that Cross Catholic Outreach is doing around the world. We have worked since our inception in 90 countries and helped with almost $5 billion worth of aid.”
She recalled that they helped Pope Leo’s former Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, and expressed their interest in continuing to work together to help the poor, vulnerable, and needy.
“Our mission statement is to mobilize the global church to transform the poor and their communities materially and spiritually for the glory of Jesus Christ,” she said.
That aspect—working materially and spiritually together, “with God at the center”—is truly important to the organization.
As of 2026, she explained that Cross Catholic has hundreds of programs in nearly 35 countries, providing support with water, housing, education, microfinance, and other sectors, always keeping the spiritual dimension at the heart of their work.
Always based on Jesus Christ
“Our charity has the stamp of the Holy Father as we give aid across the world; his approval of being a true Catholic ministry providing aid through the Church,” Sagarino explained. “What a beautiful honor that is.”
“We continue to give and have helped with many disasters—from the Ukraine war, providing ambulances and medical aid, to food relief. We’ve also helped in Haiti; in Guatemala with a housing program; and in Kenya, where we helped build a large hospital—all at the request of the Pope. We provided the funds and continued support with many programs because we believe in long-term aid. It’s been a beautiful partnership both ways.”
Meanwhile, Fr. Caron, OP, Vice President of Spiritual, Cultural, and Staff Development, spoke to Vatican News about Cross Catholic Outreach’s mission and its support of the Pope’s charitable work.
“For us, the work at Cross Catholic is really a concrete example of the corporal works of mercy—helping people build homes, providing water and housing. But we also partner with generous donors who know they are blessed and want to share their blessings with those less fortunate. So it’s a win-win in many directions, but it’s always based on Jesus Christ.”
Living out corporal works of mercy
Sandi Pino, Chief of Staff, reflected on the meaning of their work for the Church and the Pope.
“Our mission is to mobilize the global Catholic Church. I’m especially passionate about mobilizing parishes, schools, and families, whose hearts are transformed by the work we do together, so that we can transform the lives of the poor and their families in the developing world. I love seeing people of all ages come together to serve, to live out the corporal works of mercy, feeding the hungry and providing water to the thirsty.”
She recalled visiting Africa with Michele Sagarino last year.
“It meant so much to meet families whose lives will be forever changed by not having to walk miles every day to get clean water—something we take for granted. I just love being part of this work that God has called us to, and being in Rome, this sacred, holy place, inspires us every time we visit.”
Joy on the faces of little children
Shannon Burns, Associate Director of Clergy and Diocesan Relations, shared what he considers one of the organization’s most heartwarming ministries.
“One of our most beautiful ministries is called ‘Box of Joy.’ It’s a ministry for children. Many poor children around the world have never received a Christmas present. Box of Joy is where families and parish groups donate toys, pack them in boxes, and ship them to developing countries.”
Sagarino even presented one of these boxes to Pope Francis, sharing the charity’s work on the frontlines.
“We brought a Box of Joy to share with him. Pope Francis was so excited to learn about this ministry,” Burns recalled.
Nearly a million children have received Box of Joy gifts in nine countries, offering a joyful way to evangelize our Catholic faith.
“We put in a Rosary and a story of Jesus,” Sagarino concluded. “Seeing children receive a gift for the very first time is incredible. Our Church is doing so much, and it’s wonderful to see it in action. It’s such a blessing.”
