Caritas Internationalis is a confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service organizations operating in over 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Collectively and individually, their missions are to work to build a better world, especially for the poor and oppressed.

The first Caritas organization was established by Lorenz Werthmann on 9 November 1897 in Freiburg (headquarters for Germany).

Other national Caritas organizations were soon formed in Switzerland (1901) and the United States (Catholic Charities, 1910). 

Caritas shares the mission of the Catholic Church to serve the poor and to promote charity and justice throughout the world.

Caritas Switzerland was founded in 1901 by Father Rufin Steimer who became its first president. It is one of the oldest Caritas, and a member of Caritas Internationalis.

Caritas Switzerland is a multidisciplinary, mutual assistance, charitable organisation with headquarters in Lucerne. Its main strategic goal is “to fight poverty with strong partnerships”. Today, Caritas Switzerland is active in Switzerland and more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe

There is a liaison office with the United Nations.