Political Polarization and Catholic Charities

How politics is impacting the Church’s mission to serve the vulnerable

As political polarization intensifies in the U.S., the Catholic Church’s charitable mission is increasingly being drawn into broader ideological battles. Funding cuts and partisan divides are not only affecting the resources available to Catholic aid organizations—they are also shaping how their work is perceived.

Following a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, reflects on what is at stake. This conversation explores how Catholic Charities navigates growing tension between mission and politics—and what it means for the future of the Church’s public role.