Leo XIV abrogates the Commission for donations to the Holy See, marking for the umpteenth time a discontinuity with Francis
Leo XIV increasingly distanced himself from Francis. A special chirograph from the Pope, signed already on 29 September but released only on 4 December, decreed therepeal of the Commission for donations to the Holy See. The latter was the body established to encourage contributions from the faithful, Episcopal Conferences and other potential benefactors, and had been established by Bergoglio last February 11th – one of the last decisions of the former Pontiff before being admitted to the Gemelli Polyclinic. Naturally, all members of the Commission have ceased their duties.
The content of the provision
The document immediately introduces the question of donations to the Vaticanwhich have always represented one of the main forms of support for the charitable and pastoral activities of the Church: “A working group will be established to formulate proposals relating to the general question of fundraising for the Holy Seetogether with the definition of an appropriate structure. The Council for the Economy will propose the names of the members of said group who will be submitted to the Roman Pontiff through the Secretariat of State”.
In the introduction, it is added 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, in particular from the point of view of the effective exercise of the Petrine ministry”. The new working group was therefore born with theintent on building a more stable, leaner model and above all integrated with the strategic lines of the new Pope.
What is the basis of the decision
In the chirograph, Leo remodulate the current institutional structure responsible for managing the area”.
The rift with Bergoglio
The abolition of the Commission wanted by Francis is part of one settling phase of the new pontificate. Leo The choice to dismantle the structure established by Bergoglio therefore appears not only technical, but also symbolic: one redefinition of the priorities, methods and channels through which the Holy See intends to dialogue with benefactors.
The choice of the new Pontiff therefore opens a question new phase in the management of the economic resources of the Holy See. The next few months will be decisive in understanding what form the new body will take, what skills it will have and what strategy will be adopted to strengthen the relationship between Rome and the faithful around the world. A delicate passage, which could contribute to redesigning the face of the Church in the coming years.
