Holy See Reaffirms Support for Haiti and Calls for Global Action to Protect Creation

The Holy See has renewed its call for peace, stability, and environmental responsibility across the Americas, expressing deep solidarity with the people of Haiti and with all nations affected by Hurricane Melissa. The appeal was delivered during two separate sessions of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) by Monsignor Juan Antonio Cruz Serrano, the Vatican’s Permanent Observer to the organization.

In his first intervention, Monsignor Cruz addressed the OAS session focused on Haiti’s “Roadmap for Stability and Peace”, a regional and international initiative designed to restore order and rebuild confidence in the country’s future. He said the Holy See is following with close attention the grave humanitarian and social challenges facing the Haitian population, who continue to suffer under widespread insecurity, poverty, and violence.

Monsignor Cruz described the roadmap as “an instrument that places at the centre of discussion the pressing and dramatic reality of Haiti,” noting that instability has worsened due to the combined effects of social unrest and natural disasters. He drew particular attention to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which has deepened the crisis and exposed the urgency of coordinated humanitarian support.

Recalling Pope Leo XIV’s recent remarks to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on World Food Day, Monsignor Cruz urged governments to take global solidarity seriously. “The hungry faces of so many who still suffer challenge us and invite us to reexamine our lifestyles, our priorities, and our way of living in today’s world,” he said, quoting the Pope. “The international community cannot look the other way. We must make their suffering our own.”

He reaffirmed the Vatican’s appreciation for the OAS Secretariat’s ongoing engagement in line with the mandate of the 55th General Assembly and reiterated the Holy See’s “closeness to the Haitian people” and its “constant support for all initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability.”

In his second address, focused on the regional impact of Hurricane Melissa, Monsignor Cruz conveyed “the sorrow, prayer, and spiritual closeness of Pope Leo XIV” to the governments and peoples of Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and the Bahamas. The hurricane caused significant loss of life, flooding, displacement, and widespread damage to homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.

He emphasized that the Catholic Church, through its parishes and humanitarian organizations such as Caritas and Catholic Relief Services, continues to work tirelessly to assist affected communities.

Monsignor Cruz also renewed the Holy See’s appeal for ecological awareness and political commitment to protect the environment. “Caring for nature requires concrete actions and strong national and international decisions,” he said, urging greater cooperation in confronting climate-related challenges.

Concluding his address, Monsignor Cruz praised the efforts of regional organizations like the OAS for raising awareness about the misuse of natural resources and for promoting policies that safeguard creation. “Caring for and protecting creation,” he affirmed, “is the responsibility of all.”