Archbishop Enrique Benavent urges aid be based on vulnerability, not race

Archbishop Enrique Benavent of Valencia told a regional forum that Christians must help people based on their vulnerability, not on race, language, religion or nationality. He said "the priority is the vulnerability of the person" and stressed that all humans are "children of God" and should be treated as such.

Benavent linked the message to the recent papal visit of Pope Leo XIV to Spain, describing it as a revelation for Spanish society. He also called for the depoliticisation of language issues in the Church, noting that more than half of diocesan families choose education in Valencian.

In addition, the archbishop highlighted the work of Caritas Diocesana in the wake of the 2024 Dana floods, noting that the charity will allocate over €50 million to help those who lost homes, businesses, mobility and mental‑health support.