BREAKING: Pope Leo XIV has made a decisive move by officially canceling a controversial Holy See fundraising commission that was established under questionable circumstances while Pope Francis was hospitalized. This urgent decree, issued on Thursday, marks a significant step in addressing financial concerns within the Vatican as Leo seeks to restore credibility and transparency.
The Pope’s announcement comes just days before the end of 2025, as he moves to rectify issues stemming from his predecessor’s administration. Leo has formally suppressed the commission, abrogated its statutes, and terminated its members, directing that all assets be transferred to the Holy See. From now on, the Vatican’s patrimony office will oversee the dissolution of this commission.
Earlier, on February 26, 2025, the Vatican unveiled the fundraising commission while Francis was battling double pneumonia. This timing raised eyebrows, as the announcement came after the Secretariat of State, which includes only Italians with no fundraising experience, had been under scrutiny for a significant financial scandal involving a loss of tens of millions of euros in a London property deal.
Critics quickly pointed out the concentration of power back in the Secretariat of State and the striking absence of qualified fundraisers, particularly Americans, despite the U.S. being the Vatican’s largest donor. Many viewed this move as an attempt by an Italian-led office to exploit a vulnerable moment for Pope Francis, aiming to re-establish direct access to donations after the pontiff reassigned a 600 million-euro ($684 million) sovereign wealth fund to another office in response to previous mismanagement.
Pope Leo XIV’s decree appears to be a clean slate initiative, signaling a commitment to greater financial accountability. As he prepares to focus on his agenda in the upcoming year, wealthy American donors are keenly observing Leo’s actions, hoping for improved transparency and trust in the Holy See’s financial dealings.
What’s Next: The Vatican plans to form a new working group with papally approved members to devise a comprehensive fundraising strategy moving forward. This reformation is crucial, as donations remain a vital revenue source for the Holy See, and the implications of these changes could resonate deeply within the Catholic community worldwide.
As developments continue, the Pope’s actions will be pivotal in reshaping the future of fundraising at the Vatican and restoring faith among its financial supporters.
