By Hannah Brockhaus
Catholic News Agency
February 27, 2025
VATICAN— The Vatican announced on Wednesday that Pope Francis has created a fundraising commission to solicit donations from Catholics and bishops’ conferences as the Vatican City State and the Roman Curia continue to face budgetary and funding challenges.
The newly established “Commissio de Donationibus pro Sancta Sede” (Commission on Donations for the Holy See) comprises six members tasked with encouraging donations and securing benefactors for special Vatican projects, according to a papal decree signed on February 11.
In recent years, Pope Francis has implemented cost-cutting measures in an effort to address the Vatican’s financial difficulties, including a pension fund facing a “serious prospective imbalance.”
The commission’s statutes, also signed by the pope, stipulate that the group will report directly to him with biannual updates. Their fundraising efforts will be supported by an initial endowment of 300,000 euros (approximately $315,000).
The commission’s campaigns will highlight the importance of donations in supporting “the Holy Father’s mission and charitable works” while ensuring that donors’ intentions regarding the allocation of funds are respected.
The commission’s first president is Father Roberto Campisi, assessor in the general affairs section of the Secretariat of State. Other members include Archbishop Flavio Pace, secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity; Sister Alessandra Smerilli, secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; and Sister Silvana Piro, FMGB, undersecretary of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), which oversees the Vatican’s real estate holdings and other sovereign assets.
Additionally, Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, an Italian lawyer, was appointed as a commission member. On Tuesday, he was promoted from vice secretary to secretary of the Vatican City State Governorate.
The president and members of the commission will serve five-year terms.
Source: A 2021 file photo of St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, March 6, 2020. LOUIE GUADES, CMF.https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/pope-francis-creates-fundraising-commission-to-solicit-vatican-donations/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIt3hlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTb7_ipKAKnmXuvrFficEmdWyDs70XbibZtz6juJeeOT9hlixFgV3Cku3w_aem_gmOREkOtmbi4JoBFaXZIzg
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