CHICAGO - The Reverend Michael Boland, Administrator, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, will participate in two key aspects of the apostolic visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States, April 15-20. During the coming week, Father Boland is available to speak on the issues of poverty and the needs of families in Chicago and the U.S. as a whole, including food insecurity, homelessness, and veterans services.

On April 16, Father Boland will be present as President and Mrs. Bush welcome the Holy Father to the White House in an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn. Guests will include Catholic clergy, ecumenical representatives, local Catholic school children, and members of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Sisters of the Poor and the Knights of Columbus. Father Boland will also concelebrate the Papal Mass on April 17 at the new Nationals Park, in Washington, D.C., which could draw up to 46,000 worshippers.

The presence of Catholic Charities during the Papal visit underscores the importance of the Church’s charitable work to Pope Benedict, who chose to write his first encyclical letter, Deus Caritas Est, on the topic of Christian love. The encyclical reminds all Catholics that the regular practice of charity is a necessary action for individuals and the entire ecclesiastical community.

“I am delighted to attend this historic event and be a part of the welcoming of the Holy Father to the United States,” said Father Boland. “We believe that his message of charity has brought attention to the plight of those helped by Catholic Charities every day in the Chicago area, and for that we are truly grateful.”

Additionally, on Washington on Monday, April 14 in Washington, Father Boland will chair a meeting of the Social Policy Committee of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities USA, the group that provides leadership and support to all Catholic Charities agencies throughout the United States. He will join other representatives from Catholic Charities USA on Tuesday to advocate on Capitol Hill for legislation that supports social services for the poor throughout the country.

Now in its 90th year, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is the largest private, not-for-profit social service agency in the Midwest, annually assisting 1.1 million persons in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background. Catholic Charities fulfills the Church's role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, competent, professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities