Ricardo Nunes and Father Júlio Lancellotti talk about CPI

The mayor of São Paulo, Ricardo Nunes (MDB), and Father Júlio Lancellotti met on Monday (January 8, 2024) and talked about a possible investigation into the activities of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) in the capital of São Paulo.

According to the religious leader, Nunes was willing to clarify that there is no priest's agreement through the city hall, as well as any public funding for street pastoral activity serving the homeless population.

“The mayor said he can clarify that I am not from any NGO and that I do not receive any resources. Let me clarify this, that there is no agreement with any entity that I am part of.”he stated.

The priest said that he received many expressions of support and that more people started to contribute to the work carried out to assist the homeless population in the city of São Paulo.

“There are many statements of support, only the National Justice and Peace Commission gave me a document yesterday with 700 entities supporting it. Nobody is against the CPI, but it needs to have a clear object of investigation and not personalize it”said the parish priest.

Although the application does not mention Father Julio Lancellotti by name, councilor Rubinho Nunes (União) published accusations against the priest, saying that he exploits the misery in the center of São Paulo in favor of alleged political activism.

Father Lancellotti also said that he spoke to Pope Francis by phone. At the time, the leader of the Catholic Church encouraged Lancellotti to continue his work and not give up.

“I sent a letter to the Holy Father, he follows in great detail all the work that is done for the homeless population around the world. I told him about the difficulties and challenges and, when he called me, he said: 'I know the difficulties you are going through, have courage and don't be discouraged'.

Júlio Lancellotti clarified that the call with Pope Francis was made before the case involving the CPI came to light.