Pope Leo XIV has moved swiftly to reorganize financial operations within the Holy See, dissolving a commission established by Pope Francis less than ten months ago.The commissio de donationibus pro Sancta Sede, created in February 2025 amidst the Pontiff’s hospitalization, aimed to bolster donations, but has now been deemed unneeded following a review focused on financial prudence and clarity. This decision, announced thursday, signals a potential shift in fundraising strategies and oversight within the Vatican’s complex economic structures.
Pope Leo XIV has dissolved a commission established less than ten months prior by his predecessor, Pope Francis, to encourage donations to the Holy See. The move, announced Thursday, December 4th, comes after a review by the Council for the Economy and consultations with other experts.
The Commissio de donationibus pro Sancta Sede – or “Commission for Donations to the Holy See” – was created on February 11, 2025, by Pope Francis, with the aim of bolstering financial contributions from the faithful, Episcopal Conferences, and other potential benefactors. News of its creation was released on February 26th, coinciding with the Pontiff’s hospitalization at the Gemelli Hospital.
The full text of Pope Leo XIV’s decree is available here.
The commission, comprised of five members and previously led by Monsignor Roberto Campisi, will cease operations immediately. Monsignor Campisi was recently appointed as the Holy See’s permanent observer to UNESCO on September 27th, with a mandate to also monitor the activities of International Catholic Organizations.
According to the decree, the decision to disband the commission stems from “resolutions” and “recommendations” put forth by the Council for the Economy, in accordance with Article 207 of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium. This article concerns the protection of assets, financial risks, and human and financial resources, emphasizing the need for “prudence, efficiency and transparency” in their management.
The Commission’s Purpose
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The Commissio was specifically tasked with “encouraging donations through targeted campaigns” among the faithful, bishops, and donors, as well as “raising funds from donors willing to contribute to specific projects” presented by institutions of the Roman Curia and the Governorate of Vatican City State. This was to be done without infringing on the autonomy and specific responsibilities of each organization, as outlined in existing legislation.
The Pope’s Decision
Pope Leo XIV’s decree states that “the question of donations and fundraising for the Holy See represents an important aspect of the bond of unity and charity between the particular Churches and the Apostolic See, particularly in the perspective of the effective exercise of the Petrine ministry.”
The Council for the Economy, responsible for overseeing the administrative and financial structures of the Holy See, dedicated significant attention to studying this issue, re-examining it and consulting with experts in the field, the document explains. “While positively evaluating the initial steps taken recently, the Council formulated some recommendations with the aim of reforming the current institutional structure responsible for managing this area.”
Following consultations with individuals experienced in the matter, Pope Leo XIV decided to revoke the Statute of the Commissio de donationibus pro Sancta Sede. This revocation also extends to “all acts adopted to date and the Regulations eventually drawn up by the Commissio,” which will no longer have any canonical or legal force. Furthermore, the decree stipulates that “all assets currently belonging to the Commissio must be assigned to the Holy See.”
Monsignor Giordano Piccinotti, President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), has been delegated authority to “subdelegate and proceed with the liquidation of the Commission in accordance with current legislation.”
Working Group Established
The Secretariat for the Economy, along with a designated working group, will be responsible for “resolving any issues that may remain pending after the dissolution of the Commission.” The Secretariat for the Economy will “keep the Council for the Economy informed of all actions taken in this regard.”
Finally, the Pope announced the creation of a working group to formulate “proposals on the general issue of fundraising for the Holy See, as well as the definition of an appropriate structure.” The Council for the Economy will propose the members of this group, who will then be submitted to the Pope through the Secretariat of State. The move signals a potential restructuring of financial oversight within the Vatican.
