Vatican Charity Warns Millions Could Die from USAID Cuts

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The Vatican's charity has issued a stark warning that millions could perish due to significant cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Cardinal Michael Czerny stated that the Trump administration's planned funding freeze was “reckless” and could condemn hundreds of millions to dire poverty (Winfield, 2025).

USAID, which manages over $40 billion in aid annually, has been targeted by the administration's sweeping cuts, despite its essential role in global humanitarian efforts. Cardinal Czerny, a prominent figure in Pope Francis’ outreach initiatives, emphasized the moral implications of dismantling an organization with ongoing commitments, suggesting that such actions break established agreements and undermine years of progress (Winfield, 2025).

Caritas Internationalis echoed these concerns, urging the U.S. government to reconsider its approach to foreign aid. The organization warned that halting USAID would jeopardize vital services for millions and destabilize areas that depend on U.S. aid (Winfield, 2025).

Experts stress that the ramifications of these cuts may be catastrophic, affecting some of the world's most vulnerable populations.

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