The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has expressed its joy at the election of the new Pope, Leo XIV, and has fondly recalled the fruitful collaboration it maintained with him during his ministry as bishop and later as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
During his service in Peru, specifically as apostolic administrator and later bishop of Chiclayo, as well as apostolic administrator of Callao, ACN supported various projects in the dioceses under his care. Upon completing his service in Callao, then-Bishop Robert Francis Prevost sent a heartfelt message to ACN, thanking them for their cooperation in serving the people, «especially in the poorest areas of our dioceses,» and praying that «God bless the work carried out by Aid to the Church in Need.»
The collaboration continued when Monsignor Prevost was transferred to Rome by Pope Francis, where he assumed the presidency of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, within the Dicastery for Bishops.
Leo XIV’s friendship with ACN
ACN has maintained a strong working relationship with the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean for several years. Recently, it collaborated with Cardinal Prevost’s office in organizing the Latin America and Caribbean Meeting for Synodal Cooperation, held from March 10 to 14, in partnership with the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM) and the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development. The meeting aimed to strengthen synodal cooperation among various institutions and organizations committed to international cooperation in the region.
Upon learning of Cardinal Prevost’s election as Pope, ACN Executive President Regina Lynch expressed her «deep joy to know that the new Pope is a missionary, with over 20 years of hands-on experience proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.»
«ACN is proud to say that we contributed to the bishop’s missionary efforts in Peru. We reaffirm our commitment to continue serving Christian communities around the world in unity with Pope Leo XIV, as we have done with his seven immediate predecessors,» Lynch stated.
ACN, in communion with Peter
Leo XIV was elected on May 8, 2025, after a two-day conclave held following the death of Pope Francis. Born in Chicago, Robert Francis Prevost was ordained a priest in the Order of St. Augustine. He spent most of his ministry in Peru, serving as apostolic administrator and later bishop from 2014 to 2023. Prior to that, he had served for a decade in Rome as superior general of his religious order. In 2023, he returned to Rome as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.
Since 1947, Aid to the Church in Need has been serving poor and persecuted Christians around the world. In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI elevated it to the status of pontifical foundation, thus strengthening its bond with the successor of Peter and Vicar of Christ.
