Pope cancels commission for fundraising in Holy See amidst controversy

ROME Pope Leo XIV has taken decisive action to address a contentious financial initiative from Pope Francis tenure by dissolving a special Holy See fundraising commission that was established under dubious conditions while Francis was hospitalized.

On Thursday, Leo officially abolished the commission, annulled its statutes, and dismissed all its members. The decree specified that the commissions assets would be absorbed into the broader Holy See finances and placed under the supervision of the Vatican patrimony office to ensure an orderly closure.

The decree also called for the creation of a new advisory group, with members directly approved by the pope, tasked with developing fundraising strategies and establishing a proper organizational structure moving forward.

This move is seen as part of Leo XIVs effort to resolve outstanding issues from Francis pontificate as 2025 draws to a close. While addressing prior financial missteps, he is also setting the stage for his own agenda in the coming year.

The original commission had been announced on February 26, during Francis hospitalization for double pneumonia, and was composed exclusively of Italians without professional fundraising experience. Its president was the assessor of the Secretariat of State, the very office previously stripped of asset management responsibilities following significant losses in a London property transaction. The lack of qualified personnel and the exclusion of Americanskey Vatican donorsprompted immediate skepticism about the commissions credibility.

Critics viewed the commission as an attempt by the Italian-led Secretariat of State to regain financial influence, potentially exploiting the popes absence to redirect donations back under its control after losing oversight of a 600 million-euro sovereign wealth fund due to the London incident.

Pope Leos decree is widely interpreted as a reset, aiming to establish transparent and accountable fundraising processes. Donations, especially from affluent American supporters, remain vital to the Holy See, and Leo, known for his analytical approach, is expected to enhance financial oversight and clarity.

Author: Sophia Brooks