Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has formally dissolved the Commission for Donations to the Holy See, a body created earlier this year by Pope Francis to improve global fundraising efforts for the Church. The decision, confirmed through a chirograph signed on 29 September and published on 4 December, marks a significant shift in how the Vatican intends to manage and oversee donations from the faithful and other benefactors.
The commission, instituted by Pope Francis on 11 February 2025 during his hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli Policlinic, was envisioned as a central mechanism to strengthen financial support for the Holy See’s mission and charitable works. Its mandate included coordinating donations from dioceses, bishops’ conferences, religious communities, and individual contributors.
In his decree, Pope Leo XIV underscored the deep spiritual and ecclesial importance of donations, calling them a vital expression of unity and charity between the universal Church and the Apostolic See. However, he noted that the Council for the Economy tasked with overseeing Vatican financial and administrative operations had conducted an extensive review of existing structures and recommended major reforms.
The Council’s evaluation highlighted the need to rethink how fundraising is organized within the Holy See. After further consultations with experts and in keeping with the governance norms established by Praedicate Evangelium, Pope Leo accepted the Council’s conclusions and approved a resolution calling for immediate structural overhaul.
The chirograph officially repeals the statutes of the Commission for Donations and terminates the functions of all its members with immediate effect. It also orders the transfer of all assets belonging to the suppressed commission directly to the Holy See.
The Pope has empowered the President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA) to execute the commission’s liquidation according to current Vatican laws.
To manage the transition smoothly, Pope Leo has assigned the Secretariat for the Economy to oversee all matters arising from the commission’s dissolution. A dedicated working group will support this process and report regularly to the Council for the Economy.
Additionally, a new working group will be established to propose a comprehensive model for future fundraising, including the design of an appropriate organizational structure. The Council for the Economy will identify members for this group and submit the list to the Pope through the Secretariat of State.
The suppression of a commission less than 10 months after its creation signals a sweeping rethink of how the Vatican approaches global fundraising. While the Holy See has long relied on the generosity of Catholics and benefactors worldwide, Pope Leo’s decree suggests a shift toward streamlined governance, greater accountability, and a more unified strategy for supporting the Church’s mission. Further details on the new fundraising structure are expected once the proposed working groups complete their recommendations.