The Church in Solidarity with Marxist Organizations
Started under Pope Francis, the World Meeting of Popular Movements (WMPO), sponsored by the Vatican, has been held in five locations since 2014 and has continued under Pope Leo XIV. The purpose is to connect the Vatican with grassroots organizations to supposedly address the “economy of exclusion and inequality” (Joy of the Gospel, nos. 53-54) by working for structural changes that promote social, economic, and racial justice.
It sounds all well and good until the curtain is pulled back and reveals that all the participants are full-blown Marxist organizations. The Lepanto Institute documents the groups that make up the Popular Movements coalition. They are:
Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Terra (MST, Brazil): A founding and leading member, MST openly celebrates Karl Marx, reads the Communist Manifesto at family events, sings an anthem calling for rebellion against oppressors, and celebrates the anniversary of Marx’s death. It aggressively promotes “legal and safe abortion” as a feminist and anti-capitalist demand and has held national meetings for transvestites and transsexuals, declaring the fight for land inseparable from the fight against “LGBTphobia.”
Mediterranea Saving Humans (Italy): Led by longtime Marxist activist Luca Casarini (formerly of the White Overalls/autonomist Marxist movement), the group was founded with Communist party support. Casarini has praised Marx, marched with Communist organizations, participated in LGBT Pride events, and supported abortion. Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV both expressed personal support for Casarini.
Unión de Trabajadores de la Economía Popular (UTEP, Argentina): Deeply tied to Peronist/Kirchnerist revolutionary politics and Movimento Evita, UTEP celebrates Hugo Chávez, the Bolivarian Revolution, and Communist leaders. It has joined anti-fascist “pride marches” alongside LGBT and feminist groups.
La Via Campesina (international, with heavy MST influence): Explicitly calls for “socialist society,” declares “Without Feminism There Is No Socialism,” and demands legalization of abortion and full LGBTQI+ rights.
PICO California (United States): Celebrates socialist historical figures, hosts events for “reproductive rights,” and promotes Harvey Milk, transgender “awareness,” and the idea that “Trans people are divine” while tying its justice work to “Black Trans liberation.”
Additional participants—such as AVAELA (represented by a Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party official), Abahlali baseMjondolo (which conducts collective readings of the Communist Manifesto and advocates “living communism”), CUC, CNA, FRENADESO, and CENARAB— display similar patterns of Marxist theory, revolutionary rhetoric, admiration for Fidel Castro and other Communist figures, and explicit support for abortion and “gender diversity.”
Outside of the fact that Marxism is incompatible with Catholic doctrine and beliefs, it uses the same structure as the recent Synod gatherings, hoping to influence and change the Church from within. The Coordinator of the Popular Movements draws the connection without ambiguity, suggesting that the relationship between the Church and organizations “is a sign of the synodal Church that builds bridges.” It is no longer a thought or wish but a reality. On the WMPO website is the logo for the Diocese of Fresno and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Campaign for Human Development.
Let there be no confusion. Under the banner of social justice, these Marxist organizations are infiltrating and influencing the Church.
In their own summary, the WMPO has a heading entitled, “Strengthen Our Platforms as Popular Movements and Church. They conclude, “We affirm the need to renew our global alliance, woven from every territory and local experience, among organized movements, civil society, the Catholic Church, and all religious traditions that share the dream of a world centered on the human person and dignity rather than profit—an alliance capable of uniting women and men of goodwill to build a humanity grounded in fraternity, equality, and justice, where peace and justice embrace.”
After the final meeting in October 2025, Pope Leo expressed his solidarity with these groups, “I am here, I am with You.” Maybe the Marxists’ Trojan Horse, masquerading as social justice, and filled with communists, has already entered the City of God.