Advent Solidarity: Confronting Global Poverty and Sharing Christmas Hope

On today’s episode of Just Love, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan speaks with Prof. Henry Schwalbenberg, Ph.D., Professor of Economics at Fordham University and Editor of the Fordham Francis Global Poverty Report, to explore this year’s newly released multidimensional poverty index inspired by Pope Francis. The report measures not only material deprivation—such as access to food, water, housing, and employment—but also spiritual well-being, including education, gender equity, and religious freedom, offering a holistic vision of human dignity. They discuss how recent changes in U.S. aid policy and shifts in foreign assistance are reshaping global poverty relief and what these developments mean for the Church’s mission and global solidarity. Monsignor Sullivan then welcomes Will Wrotniak, Volunteer Vice Chair of the Catholic Charities Junior Board, and Kate McGowan, Executive Director of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation and longtime participant in Catholic Charities’ “Adopt a Family” program, for a conversation about the Saint Nicholas Shopping Day and how volunteers are helping make Christmas brighter for families across New York this season.