UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell meets Pope Leo XIV to discuss the plight of the world’s children

ROME/NEW YORK, 6 October 2025 – UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican today to focus world attention on the plight of vulnerable children, especially those impacted by conflict, poverty and the global foreign aid funding and debt crises.

“Today, children are suffering on an unprecedented scale from conflicts and crises, while access to health, education and protection services is being rolled back by global cuts to foreign aid funding,” said Russell. “Pope Leo has a powerful voice in spreading the message of peace and protection of children, and we’re grateful. The world must listen, and do better for children.”

Millions of children are living in or fleeing from conflict zones and violence, in places like Gaza, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Sudan, Ukraine and Yemen.  Meanwhile, 1 billion children currently live in countries that are at high risk to the impacts of climate change. And hundreds of millions more live in extreme poverty.

Executive Director Russell also thanked the Pope for his leadership in ensuring access to education for all children, and addressing a deepening debt crisis, which is diverting resources away from children. Many countries are now paying more in interest on loans than they invest in health, education or social protection.

“Childhood should be a happy time for children to learn, to feel safe, and to grow,” said Russell. “But far too many children are suffering, living day-by-day to survive war, poverty, and weather-related disasters.”

Much like conflicts, climate catastrophes are increasing in frequency and intensity and children are especially vulnerable. Cycles of drought and flooding are impacting food and water systems, destroying schools and health facilities, while leading to displacement and increasing conflicts over dwindling resources.

“We know how to save and improve the lives of children and mitigate the risks of climate change,” said Russell. “Every year, UNICEF and partners reach hundreds of millions of children with access to nutrition, safe water, vaccines, medicines, and protection against violence. But we need countries to come together, to prioritize the world’s children, and ensure that the rights of all children are respected. It will make for a healthier, more stable and peaceful world – for everyone.”

This was the second visit to the Vatican by Russell. Last year she met with Pope Francis, and joined him and tens of thousands of children at the Olympic Stadium in a day organized by the Holy See's Dicastery for Culture and Education in support of the rights and dignity of children.