Peter’s Pence is not merely a collection, but an act of ecclesial co-responsibility that unites the faithful around the world in the mission of the Pope. Ahead of the Day for the Charity of the Pope, celebrated on 29 June, the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, Maximino Caballero Ledo, explains the spiritual, pastoral and managerial value of this instrument of solidarity, rooted in transparency, trust, and participation in the universal mission of the Holy See.
(Foto Siciliani-Gennari/SIR)
On Sunday 29 June, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, we will celebrate the Day for the Charity of the Pope, with the traditional collection to support the ministry of the Holy Father for the universal Church. Could you explain how Peter’s Pence is used?
To better understand what Peter’s Pence is and what the expression “Charity of the Pope” means, it is necessary to go beyond the narrow vision that identifies charity solely with almsgiving or welfare works. It is not only about distributing the money received to different parts of the world for charitable initiatives, but it is equally important to understand that the charity of the Holy Father concerns his mission, which he carries out through the Dicasteries and institutions of the Roman Curia at the service of the universal Church.
So charity is not only material assistance, but also support for the universal mission of the Holy Father as a whole?
Charity is also expressed in sustaining the needs related to carrying out this mission so that it can be pursued effectively and coherently with Gospel principles. Although some Dicasteries allocate part of their budget to assist local Churches in difficulty, their main function is to offer a specific service to the entire Church. These institutions of the Curia do not generate income nor do they receive fees for their work. Think, for example, of services for the unity of faith, liturgy, the Pope’s communications, the promotion of peace and human development, the preservation of the heritage of the Vatican Apostolic Library and Archives, and the Pontifical Representations. These activities are partly supported thanks to the donations given to Peter’s Pence.
Peter’s Pence is a historical form through which the faithful participate in the Pope’s universal mission. How does this instrument maintain its relevance today, within ecclesial awareness and the Church’s synodal journey?
Peter’s Pence is a practice rooted in the Gospel and in the teachings of the Apostles. Even today it remains a concrete form of belonging to the Church and participation in the universal mission of the Holy Father as Successor of Peter. The offerings, donated spontaneously by Catholics throughout the world and also by people of goodwill, constitute an important source of support for the Holy See.
The Church has always been able to continue its work thanks to the generous offerings of countless people who, grateful for the gift of faith, give what they can.
For this reason, the offerings have a profound symbolic value: they express love and trust towards the Holy Father. In this sense, the synodal journey can help to enliven the sense of belonging and co-responsibility within the ecclesial community.
What is needed to keep this awareness alive?
It is necessary to constantly renew efforts to raise awareness – and I say this from personal experience – by telling and deepening the spiritual and ecclesial significance of Peter’s Pence. Only in this way can we strengthen the awareness that each of us, according to our possibilities, can support the universal ministry of the Pope.
In recent years, the Holy See has strongly promoted a process of transparency and accountability. Do you think the regular publication of Peter’s Pence Reports is helping to build trust and co-responsibility within the ecclesial community?
The process of transparency and accountability is part of the broader economic reform launched by Pope Francis and confirmed by Pope Leo XIV, which involves all the bodies of the Holy See, including of course Peter’s Pence. Transparency is not only a tool of good governance but a form of respect and dialogue with the faithful, who have the right to know how their offerings are used.
What tools make this commitment visible?
Each year a Report on Peter’s Pence is published, accessible to all, bearing witness to the Holy See’s commitment to a culture of responsibility and trust. These Reports are also shared with the Episcopal Conferences, so that local Churches are more aware of the Holy See’s needs and can feel actively involved in its support.
Peter’s Pence is the collection that each year, on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, is given by the faithful throughout the world in support of the Pope’s mission. The offerings collected serve to finance the pastoral and charitable activities of the Holy See, especially towards the most vulnerable communities, and to sustain the structures that make possible the ministry of the Bishop of Rome at the service of the universal Church. It is a gesture of communion, trust, and co-responsibility.
What is the ecclesial meaning of this contribution?
It is good that the Church can support itself thanks to the faithful: a free, disinterested support born of communion and sharing in the mission itself. In this sense, offerings to Peter’s Pence are not only financial assistance but a tangible sign of participation and co-responsibility. Without this contribution, many works of the Holy See would not be possible.
We are deeply grateful to all who continue to offer their support with generosity and trust.
For some years now, Peter’s Pence expenditures have exceeded its income, requiring partial use of the fund’s assets. Is this dynamic a cause for concern? What guidelines are you following to ensure balance and sustainability in the long term?
It is certainly a dynamic that we monitor with attention and responsibility. However, we cannot forget that the Church has a mission that cannot be conditioned solely by the resources available at a given moment. The mission always asks more of us: to be present where closeness, mediation, solidarity, and witness are needed.
What measures are being taken to address this challenge?
We are aware that this imbalance cannot continue indefinitely. For this reason, we are working to contain costs and to strengthen prudent and transparent management. But above all, we trust in the generosity of the faithful and in Providence, which so often in the history of the Church has manifested itself through the creativity of the Holy Spirit and the simple and concrete gestures of solidarity. We are certain that, with everyone’s commitment, it will be possible to ensure the continuity of this service to the Gospel.
A large part of the donations comes from well-defined geographical contexts, particularly from the United States. Is there a desire to involve local Churches in other continents more broadly, through awareness-raising or new forms of participation?
The solidarity participation of people and communities around the world is for us a source of gratitude and encouragement to continue the mission entrusted to us.
It is important that communities on every continent feel actively part of a universal mission, and see in Peter’s Pence not merely a collection, but a gesture of communion and trust.
In some cases, limited participation is due to a lack of knowledge about the deep meaning of Peter’s Pence and also about the real needs of the Holy See. For this reason, we are working to strengthen awareness-raising pathways, offering tools to better understand the value of ecclesial co-responsibility. Each local Church can contribute to this goal, also through new forms of participation that enhance the educational, spiritual and pastoral dimension of giving.
Within the overall framework of resource distribution for formative, pastoral and solidarity projects, Europe receives particular attention. How is this dynamic interpreted?
The allocation of a significant part of the resources to Europe is mainly due to the increasing number of scholarships granted to priests, seminarians, and religious from Africa, Latin America and Asia. These students are trained at Pontifical universities, with the aim of returning to serve their home communities enriched by an international ecclesial and academic experience. It is thus a long-term project for the benefit of the universal Church, even if managed within Europe.
However, there are also immediate needs within Europe. How are these addressed?
We must not forget that Europe too is now affected by new forms of social fragility, and struck by the consequences of war, which continues to cause suffering on this continent as well. In this context, solidarity is expressed through interventions that respond to real and urgent needs, according to criteria of mission, closeness and responsibility.
