Showing posts with label Papal foundation. Show all posts

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Papal Foundation grants, scholarships break records for charitable giving

Members of The Papal Foundation visit the Vatican Gardens during their pilgrimage

Church

The Papal Foundation reveals record-setting grants for Church-run projects

As it meets with Pope Leo XIV, The Papal Foundation announces it has approved over $15 million in grant allocations for 2026, a record in its 38-year history.

Vatican News

The Papal Foundation announced more than $15 million in grant allocations for 2026, supporting over 144 projects in 75 countries and marking a record level of global impact.

Students who receive scholarships from the Papal Foundation—since the program’s inception, a total of 2,700 students have benefited

In a press statement released on Saturday just ahead of their audience with Pope Leo XIV, The Papal Foundation said the grants will support infrastructure, programming, and humanitarian aid identified by the Vatican, with a focus on communities most in need around the world.

The 2026 grants will assist a wide range of initiatives serving the poor and the Church. These include the construction and renovation of Catholic schools, classrooms, monasteries, orphanages, and medical clinics in numerous countries.

Other projects include a dormitory in Tanzania to help protect girls from early marriage, trafficking, and sexual abuse, and boys from leaving school; a safe school for marginalized tribal children in India; a library and technology center in the Central African Republic; professional IT training for vulnerable women in the Philippines; and a well and water tower in the Republic of Guinea.

Ward Fitzgerald, President of The Papal Foundation Board of Trustees, said the grants are at the heart of the Foundation’s mission.

He described the projects as a sign of “hope,” responding to urgent needs and strengthening Catholic communities in developing nations.

The grants were approved following a review process led by the Foundation’s Grants Committee, chaired by Trustee Dr. Tammy Tenaglia of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The committee reviewed requests submitted by the Vatican in the Fall of 2025 and recommended 144 grants for approval, with support from the Foundation’s Mission Fund Committee.

The Board of Trustees approved more than $15 million in total allocations, including $12.5 million in current grants and an additional $3 million to be distributed through the Foundation and its affiliates before the end of 2026.

The Foundation also noted continued growth among its Stewards of Saint Peter, with 25 new families joining since the election of Pope Leo XIV.

Its annual pilgrimage to Rome has brought together 56 Steward families.

The pilgrimage, the first since the election of Pope Leo XIV, includes visits to St. Peter’s, the Lateran Palace, the Angelicum, a candlelight rosary at St. Mary Major, and an audience with the Holy Father.

David Savage, Executive Director of The Papal Foundation, said the Foundation’s growth reflects a shared commitment “to serve, to give, and to bring the Church’s mission to life in meaningful ways across the globe.”

Since its founding in 1988, The Papal Foundation has distributed more than $270 million in grants, scholarships, and humanitarian aid to more than 2,700 projects selected by Pope Leo XIV, Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope St. John Paul II.

New members of the Papal Foundation

Pope Leo XIV meets with the Papal Foundation, a U.S. based charitable organization

Pope

Pope Leo: The Papal Foundation’s generosity shows goodness of God

Pope Leo XIV meets with a delegation from The Papal Foundation and expresses his support for their charitable activities that have helped many in the Church.

By Devin Watkins

Pope Leo XIV met with stewards, trustees, and members of The Papal Foundation on Saturday, as the US-based charitable organization makes a pilgrimage to Rome.

He recalled that his former Diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, received financial support from the foundation, and thanked them for their mission to assist the Successor of Peter’s ministry to the universal Church.

“I was pleased to learn that membership in the Foundation continues to grow each year and that you have expressed an openness to increase the support provided as well as find new ways of being of service,” he said.

Though Christ commissioned the Apostles and their successors, the Bishops, to guide the Church, he said, every Catholic has been entrusted with the mission to proclaim the Gospel in word and charitable deed.

“As St. James wrote to the early Christian community, faith without works is dead and has no power to save,” he said, “and the Gospels teach us that the Lord expects His disciples to care for the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable.”

Pope Leo noted that The Papal Foundation provides humanitarian aid and scholarships for people from around the world, participating in the Church’s evangelical mission.

These include priests and consecrated religious who are able to receive an advanced education so that they may become future leaders in the Church.

“Your generosity,” he said, “has allowed countless people to experience in a concrete fashion the goodness and kindness of God in their own communities.”

The Pope thanked members of The Papal Foundation for their generosity on behalf of all those who have benefited from their kindness.

Recalling that their encounter takes place during the Easter Season, he pointed to the Lord’s greeting “Peace be with you!” and renewed Christ’s invitation for His disciples to be instruments of peace.

Pope St. Paul VI, he noted, called development “the new name of peace,” adding that his predecessor meant that “true harmony is not simply the absence of conflict, but comes from actively promoting an authentic integral human development.”

“Fostering genuine progress through tangible initiatives like those supported by the Foundation is a sure way to encourage concord among communities and individuals,” he said.

Finally, Pope Leo XIV renewed his gratitude to The Papal Foundation for their pilgrimage to Rome and for their support for his ministry and the work of the universal Church.

“I ask for your continued prayers for my ministry as the Successor of Saint Peter and for the needs of the Church.”

Friday, May 1, 2026

The Papal Foundation meets in Rome; Mass for the foundation presided by our own Archbishop Checchio

(R-L) Ward Fitzgerald, President, The Papal Foundation, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Chairman, Archbishop Nelson Perez of Philadelphia, David Savage, Executive Director

Vatican

The Papal Foundation visits Rome to reaffirm cooperation and support for the poor

Several representatives of The Papal Foundation are making a pilgrimage to Rome from the United States and Canada, focusing on furthering support for the poor and advancing the Church’s mission worldwide, with a central meeting with Pope Leo XIV.

By Karol Darmoros and Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik

The Papal Foundation's pilgrimage to Rome, taking place from April 29 to May 2, includes a rich spiritual and formation program, featuring Masses, meetings, and visits to key locations connected with the work of the Holy See.

Archbishop James Checchio presides over the Mass for the members and staff of the Papal Foundation

On the first day, Mass was celebrated at St. Mary of the Angels, with Archbishop James Checchio as celebrant. In his homily, he emphasized that Christians are called to be apostles of the Risen Jesus Christ.

On the second day, special attention was given to a tour of Vatican Radio and Vatican News, along with meetings involving the Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, Paolo Ruffini; Editorial Director Andrea Tornielli; Theological-Pastoral Director Nataša Govekar; and the Deputy Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Sister Nina Krapić.

Among the initiatives discussed was the introduction of the new Vatican News widget. As Pope Leo XIV wrote, the widget of Vatican News “is a tool for evangelization; it offers an opportunity to create a network and exchange gifts."

Among other activities, the Stewards of St. Peter also visited the US Embassy to the Holy See.

Mission of the Foundation

During a welcome reception in Rome, the work of The Papal Foundation was presented. The U.S.-based charitable organization supports the Holy Father's initiatives in developing countries.

“The mission of The Papal Foundation is to serve the Holy Father and the Roman Catholic Church. We bring and offer our faith, our energy, and our financial resources to share the love of Christ with our poorest brothers and sisters,” emphasized the Foundation’s president, Ward Fitzgerald.

Concrete Assistance

As noted by the organization’s Vice President, Tim Ristoff, the scale of support is significant, especially in Africa.

“Since 1997, 855 general grants have been awarded, totaling 63 million dollars, and since 2011, 69 humanitarian grants worth 4.9 million dollars,” he explained. He also added that 2,700 students have received support through the Saint John Paul II Scholarship Program.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, stressed that its activities are part of the mission of the universal Church and provide concrete assistance to those most in need.

Support also includes the reconstruction of churches, assistance for schools, orphanages, and healthcare centers, as well as initiatives for children and those most at risk of exclusion.

The Foundation operates in more than 130 countries and, since 1988, has distributed over 270 million dollars for charitable, educational, and humanitarian projects. It shows particular care for children in difficult situations and for those most vulnerable to exclusion.

Growth and Cooperation

During the welcome event in Rome, attention was also drawn to the dynamic development of the Foundation’s initiatives. Over the past 18 months, 27 new donor families have joined, enabling the organization to achieve nearly half of its five-year goal.

The visit to the Vatican marks an important moment in strengthening ties with the universal Church and confirms The Papal Foundation’s commitment to serving those most in need.

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Papal Foundation supports charitable works of the Holy See

POPE

Pope to Papal Foundation: Financial scandals damage Church charity work

Pope Francis meets with a delegation of the Papal Foundation as it concludes its annual pilgrimage to Rome, and commends its generous contribution to the Holy See’ charitable work and its transparent financial management of funds.

By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis praised members of the U.S.-based Papal Foundation for assisting the Bishop of Rome in fulfilling his mission, noting that , through their generous support to Catholic charity projects throughout the world and the transparent management of funds, they offer a “visible sign of unity” with the Successor of Peter.

Providing funding for Catholic charitable projects around the world

For 35 years the Foundation, which was founded in 1988 in response to a wish expressed by St. John Paul II, provides funding for Catholic projects worlwide specifically identified and requested by the Pope.

Every year a delegation of members, trustees and stewards travels to Rome to share with the Holy Father the chosen projects and renew its commitment to supporting his desired charitable efforts.

Fostering unity over divisions

Welcoming some a 150-member-strong delegation in the Vatican on Friday, Pope Francis highlighted two aspects of the Foundations' cooperation in the mission of the Pope.

The first aspect is fostering unity. “Sadly,” he noted, “we see also in our own day how the unity of the Church is wounded by division” often caused by the “influence of ideologies and movements that while at times well intentioned, end up fomenting parties and cliques”.

“This is further compounded by the application of secular terminology, especially from the political realm, when speaking of the Church and the faith itself”, he lamented

“Saint Paul warned the early Church about instruments of division that speak superficially or reject outright the nature of the Church as unity in diversity, as unity without uniformity. And the One who creates this unity without uniformity, the only one capable of doing it is the Holy Spirit.”

Instead, “motivated by sincere faith and heartfelt desire to help others”, the members of the Papal Foundation rise above these “partisan divisions” and foster unity “through the generous funding each year of numerous projects and scholarships that provide vital assistance, without prejudice or discrimination, to our brothers and sisters throughout the world”.

Financial transparency

The second aspect highlighted by Pope Francis is transparency which, he said, is especially important for the Holy See’s service of charity that relies on the good will and generosity of so many people around the world.

“While not comparable to the immense harm resulting from the failure to protect the most vulnerable from various forms of abuse, financial scandals caused by a lack of oversight and transparency also damage the good name of the Church and can call into question the credibility of the faith itself.”

In this regard, the Pope commended the Papal Foundation for its ongoing commitment to maintain "appropriate measures of transparency" so that the funding of scholarships and projects "truly benefits those in need and contributes to the building up of the Kingdom of God on earth".

Concluding, Pope Francis reiterated his gratitude for the Foundation’s efforts, while praying that that it’s members may be renewed in their “zeal to assist the charitable work of the Bishop of Rome, which presides in love over the entire Church”.

200 million USD allocated in 35 years

Since its inception in 1988, the Papa Foundation has allocated 200 million USD in grants and scholarships around the world to more than 2,000 projects selected by Popes Francis and Benedict, and Saint John Paul II.

According to its website, it has helped finance the construction of 358 churches and chapels, 170 seminaries, 404 rectories and convents, 273 schools, and 104 hospitals.

In 2023 the Foundation plans to give the Holy See 9.5 million USD to fund 114 grants in 57 countries. It will also provide approximately 4.8 million USD in scholarships and humanitarian aid.

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