Vatican City: The Vatican’s recently released Peter’s Pence 2024 report reveals a notable rise in global contributions to support the Pope’s apostolic and charitable mission. In 2024, the annual fund collected €58 million, a significant increase from the €52 million received in 2023. This surge in donations underscores a renewed global commitment to the Church’s mission of mercy, evangelization, and service to the most vulnerable.
Peter’s Pence, traditionally collected around the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, serves as a vital source of financial support for the Holy See. It enables the Pope to respond to urgent needs around the world and sustain the activities of the Roman Curia. Of the total income in 2024, €13.3 million was allocated to 239 humanitarian projects across 66 countries, while €61.2 million supported the Holy See’s administrative and apostolic work. Total expenditures from the fund amounted to €75.4 million.
The projects funded reflect the Church’s broad mission. In Senegal, Peter’s Pence financed the construction of a missionary training center. A new parish church was established in Peru, and a hostel for the poor was built in Thailand. In Romania, funds supported the creation of a rehabilitation facility for people with special needs, while in Syria, families affected by conflict received healthcare assistance. A major educational initiative in Benin saw support for the development of the Catholic University of West Africa. Additionally, support was extended to vulnerable communities in India, Angola, and Cuba, including infrastructure renovations, dormitory repairs, and the construction of a nursing home.
Peter’s Pence also contributed to educational efforts by providing scholarships for seminarians and religious from Africa, Asia, and Latin America to study in Pontifical universities. Humanitarian assistance continued in regions like Ukraine, showcasing the Pope’s ongoing concern for those affected by war and displacement. The Church’s commitment to long-term transformation is evident in its outreach beyond emergency aid, supporting local development and pastoral presence in areas of need.
In terms of how donations were received, the report details that €54.3 million came from direct donations, while €3.7 million was derived from financial income and other sources. Contributions reached the Vatican via parish collections, direct transfers from dioceses, wire transfers, checks, online donations through the Peter’s Pence website, and bequests made through wills.
Analyzing the donor landscape, dioceses accounted for the largest share contributing €31.8 million or 59% of the total. Private individuals donated €8.9 million (16%), followed by foundations with €12.2 million (12.2%), and religious institutions with €1.4 million (1.4%). The top contributing countries were the United States (25.2%), France (15%), Italy (5.2%), Brazil (3%), and Germany (2.8%). Several other nations, including Mexico, South Korea, Ireland, Spain, and Colombia, also made notable contributions.
In total, the fund supported 64 projects in Africa (€5.7 million), 118 in Europe (€3.3 million), 26 in the Americas (€1.9 million), 29 in Asia (€2.3 million), and 2 in Oceania. The report illustrates the Church’s global reach and the diversity of needs being addressed through these initiatives from education and health care to infrastructure and evangelization.
Furthermore, the Holy Father, through the offices of the Roman Curia, distributed an additional €37.3 million in charitable assistance, including €6.2 million sourced from Peter’s Pence. This brought the total support for charitable works to €50.6 million, reflecting a holistic approach to the Church’s pastoral and social mission.
The report also offers a snapshot of the Vatican’s wider financial commitment. In 2024, the Holy See’s overall expenses amounted to €367.4 million, with Peter’s Pence covering approximately €61.2 million or 17% of the total. These funds supported a wide array of initiatives, including the activities of Apostolic Nunciatures, Church communication, academic institutions, family and cultural programs, and outreach to local Churches facing economic hardship.
Ultimately, the Peter’s Pence 2024 report serves as a powerful testimony to the generosity of the global Catholic faithful and their desire to walk with the Pope in his mission to bring healing, hope, and unity to the world. At a time of widespread suffering and division, these donations embody a collective response of love and solidarity extending the Heart of the Church to those who need it most.