[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”20px||20px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_2,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Vatican-Holy-See-logo.png” title_text=”Vatican Holy See logo” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”50%” max_width_tablet=”50%” max_width_phone=”30%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”10px||10px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n CAPP-USA answers common questions about its relationship with the Vatican-based Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice, its mission in the United States, and its work promoting Catholic Social Teaching. Learn more about our unique mandate as a Vatican-based Pontifical Foundation and our mission to advance Catholic Social Teaching in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/CAPP-USA-Logowhite-bluebg-2019.png” alt=”CAPP-USA works to spread the knowledge and practice of Catholic social teaching in the United States.” title_text=”CAPP-USA-Logowhite-bluebg-2019″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”50%” max_width_tablet=”50%” max_width_phone=”30%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”10px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_toggle title=”What is CAPP-USA?” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n CAPP-USA (Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice, Inc.) is the United States affiliate of the Vatican\u2019s lay-led pontifical foundation Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice<\/a>. It promotes the study and application of Catholic Social Teaching in public, economic, and social life.<\/span><\/p>\n Learn more about CAPP-USA<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”10px||10px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_toggle title=”Who founded CAPP-USA and why?” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Following his landmark social encyclical Centesimus Annus<\/a>, Pope St. John Paul II established the Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice on June 5, 1993. CAPP-USA was later established in 2003 as the Foundation\u2019s United States affiliate.<\/span><\/p>\n St. John Paul II recognized that the Church\u2019s social doctrine was often not reaching the people most positioned to put it into practice\u2014leaders in business, academia, government, and the professions. He created the Foundation \u201cto promote and defend the knowledge and the practice of the Church\u2019s social doctrine,\u201d warning that \u201cif this evangelization of the leadership sector is neglected\u2026 many who are a part of it will be guided by criteria alien to the Gospel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Four months before his death in 2005, he urged members of the Foundation to \u201cspare no effort\u201d to pursue these goals\u2014a charge that continues to animate CAPP-USA\u2019s mission today. (2004 Address)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Learn more about CAPP-USA’s founding and mission<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”10px||10px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_toggle title=”Is CAPP-USA affiliated with the Vatican and part of the Catholic Church?” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Yes. CAPP-USA is the U.S. affiliate of Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice<\/a>, a pontifical foundation based at the Vatican and recognized under canon law as a juridical person. As such, we operate under the authority of the Holy See and in communion with the Catholic Church.<\/span><\/p>\n Through this relationship, CAPP-USA works to ensure that the Church\u2019s authentic social doctrine\u2014as articulated by the Magisterium\u2014reaches Catholic leaders and people of good will across American public, economic, and cultural life.<\/span><\/p>\n Further, in the United States, CAPP-USA is also recognized as an \u201cintegrated auxiliary of the Roman Catholic Church\u201d under U.S. Treasury regulations, reflecting its ecclesial relationship with the Catholic Church.<\/span><\/p>\n Legal & Ecclesial Status<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”10px||10px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_toggle title=”What is CAPP-USA\u2019s mission?” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n CAPP-USA\u2019s mission is to evangelize lay leaders by forming their consciences in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and supporting their efforts to apply the Church\u2019s social doctrine in the economic, political, and the cultural life of society.<\/span><\/p>\n Learn more about CAPP-USA’s mission<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”10px||10px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_toggle title=”What is Catholic Social Teaching?” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching is the body of doctrine through which the Catholic Church applies the Gospel to social, economic, and political life. It traces its modern origins to Pope Leo XIII\u2019s Rerum Novarum<\/a> (1891) and is rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium. It forms consciences through principles such as human dignity<\/strong>, solidarity<\/strong>, and subsidiarity<\/strong> so society may pursue the common good<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Learn more about what Catholic social teaching is<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”10px||10px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_toggle title=”Is Catholic Social Teaching a political ideology?” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n No. It is not a political ideology or economic program. It offers timeless principles\u2014rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium\u2014to help individuals and institutions evaluate social, economic, and political questions in light of the common good.<\/span><\/p>\n Read more: Catholic Social Teaching is Neither Conservative or Liberal<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”10px||10px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_toggle title=”How does CAPP-USA promote Catholic Social Teaching?” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n CAPP-USA advances Catholic Social Teaching through publications, public discussions, digital media, study programs, and events that explore how the Church\u2019s social doctrine applies to contemporary economic, political, and social questions.<\/span><\/p>\n For example, in partnership with The Catholic University of America, CAPP-USA offers a graduate-level Certificate in Catholic Social Teaching\u2014one of the few academic programs of its kind in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n Visit the study center<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”10px||10px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_toggle title=”Does CAPP-USA represent official Catholic Church teaching?” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n CAPP-USA promotes and explains Catholic Social Teaching as articulated by the Magisterium of the Catholic.<\/span><\/p>\n Through our educational programs and publications, CAPP-USA helps Catholic leaders and people of good will understand and apply the Church\u2019s social doctrine in contemporary economic, political, and cultural life.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Learn about the Vatican Fondazione<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”10px||10px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_toggle title=”What is the relationship between CAPP-USA and Pope Leo XIV?” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Pope Leo XIV (elected on May 8, 2025) continued the longstanding relationship between the Holy See and the Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice from the earliest days of his pontificate.<\/span><\/p>\n Just nine days after his election, he granted members of the Foundation a private audience at the Vatican, telling us: \u201cThere is a growing demand for the Church\u2019s social doctrine, to which we need to respond.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n His choice of the name \u201cLeo\u201d is deeply meaningful: Pope Leo XIII\u2019s Rerum Novarum launched modern Catholic Social Teaching, and Pope Leo XIV explicitly connected it to today\u2019s challenges\u2014especially artificial intelligence and technological change\u2014precisely the work CAPP-USA exists to advance.<\/span><\/p>\n In October 2025, he promulgated his first Apostolic Exhortation,<\/span>\u00a0Dilexi Te<\/a>, calling Catholics to confront the structures of sin perpetuating poverty and inequality\u2014themes central to Catholic Social Teaching and CAPP-USA\u2019s mission.<\/span><\/p>\n