URGENT UPDATE: Pope Leo XIV has officially canceled the controversial Holy See fundraising commission, a move that signals a significant shift in Vatican financial management. The announcement was made on October 12, 2025, as Leo seeks to rectify issues stemming from his predecessor, Pope Francis.
In a decisive decree, Leo suppressed the fundraising commission, abrogated its statutes, and dismissed its members. Funds previously allocated to the commission will now be redirected to the Holy See, with oversight from the Vatican’s patrimony office. This restructuring aims to bring greater transparency and accountability to the Vatican’s financial activities, particularly as wealthy American donors have expressed concerns about the management of funds.
The original commission was announced on February 26, 2025, while Pope Francis was hospitalized with double pneumonia, raising eyebrows about the timing and validity of its formation. Critics noted that the commission comprised exclusively Italians, lacking professional fundraising experience, which immediately called its credibility into question. The president of the commission was linked to the Secretariat of State, the very office that previously lost €600 million (approximately $684 million) in a scandal involving a London property deal.
Many viewed this commission as an attempt by the Italian-led Secretariat of State to gain control over donations at a vulnerable moment for Francis. The cancellation by Pope Leo XIV appears to be a strategic effort to “wipe the slate clean” and establish a new direction for fundraising efforts within the Vatican.
The decree comes at a critical time as Leo prepares to fulfill the obligations of Francis’ Holy Year while simultaneously focusing on his own agenda. Donations play a vital role in the revenue streams of the Holy See, and with the United States being a primary donor, the need for qualified fundraising leadership has never been more urgent.
As the Vatican moves forward, a new working group will be established, comprised of papally approved members, tasked with crafting fundraising proposals and an appropriate operational structure. This shift promises to reshape the Vatican’s approach to financial management, instilling confidence among donors and stakeholders.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and the Vatican unveils its plans for a more transparent fundraising strategy.
