Pope Leo XIV is really going out on a limb to reverse the most controversial and unpopular financial decision of pope Francis’s tenure. To make amends, he is canceling a special Holy See fundraising commission. This commission took shape while Pope Francis was in the hospital with double pneumonia. It has come under fire for its dubious origination and the lack of any professional fundraising experience among its members.
Pope Leo XIV recently declared the cancellation in order to address persistent issues in the Vatican’s financial infrastructure. This decision aids him in living up to the calls of his Holy Year of Mercy. What is clear, though, is that the Pope is committed to being responsive to issues as they arise. He wishes to make sure that the administration of the Holy See is aligned with his vision for the future.
Coincidentally, on that very day, February 26, as Francis was in recovery from surgery, the commission started to be formed. All its members were Italian-American and none had professional experience in fundraising. This creation raised a lot of concerns about the commission’s legitimacy. These concerns are heightened given the fact that the United States is the Vatican’s largest financial backer. Critics were quick to criticize the absence of qualified fundraisers on the board. They further pointed to a lack of American representation, calling into question the commission’s ability to attract support from important donors.
In a dramatic move, Pope Leo XIV not only abrogated the commission’s statutes but removed its members from service. The Pope further determined that the total assets ascertained by the commission would go back to the Holy See. This shift places control and funds management even more centrally under the purview of the Secretariat of State. This unprecedented move, according to some analysts, is part of a tactical plan to reclaim lost confidence in the Vatican’s financial machinations.
The Vatican patrimony office will assume responsibility for winding down the commission entirely. This is a big change in what advocacy and fundraising work will look like going forward. Pope Leo XIV prepares for the new year with a distinct mandate at his back. He’s extremely confident that he can take the lessons learned from all those mistakes and just not make them again.
By requiring these few steps, Pope Leo XIV proves he is not only concerned with transparency but how much accountability should exist in the Vatican’s financial dealings. Taken together, they speak to a vision that embraces a more proactive approach to governance. Because of previous administrative decisions, he understands that reform is necessary.
