Grants, Scholarships and Mission Fund Dollars will grow the Foundation’s service to the Church
April 28, 2022
The Papal Foundation, whose mission is to serve the Holy Father and the Roman Catholic Church through faith, energy, and financial resources, announced the approval of $14 million in grants, scholarships, and humanitarian aid that will be distributed throughout the world. The Foundation’s 22-member Board of Trustees approved these investments to grow the Foundation’s service to the Church, including more than $9 million in grants requested by the Vatican for 123 projects in 64 countries.
The Papal Foundation supports global priorities identified by Pope Francis including the construction and renovations of churches and schools, as well as seminaries, convents, rectories, and monasteries. In addition, grants purchase library supplies, provide lunches for orphaned children, and install modern medical equipment in hospitals in developing nations. “These dollars address an amazing variety of requests,” said Eustace Mita, President of The Papal Foundation Board of Trustees. “The diversity of need is great, and the Foundation’s ability to respond to Pope Francis’ call has made a profound impact on many lives.”
In addition to making grants in Dioceses around the globe, The Papal Foundation will support 90 priests, women religious and seminarians studying in Rome, as well as provide humanitarian aid through its Mission Fund to feed the hungry, tend to the sick and provide shelter for the homeless.
“We are here to serve the global Church by investing in Pope Francis’ priorities,” said Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Chairman of The Papal Foundation Board of Trustees. “Our shared goal is to serve those most in need in impoverished communities throughout the world.”
The Papal Foundation’s Board of Trustees will hold its annual meeting and its Stewards of Saint Peter will have an audience with Pope Francis during a week-long pilgrimage to Rome from April 26 to April 30.
“We are excited to return to Rome and share the list of approved grants with the Holy Father,” added Mita. “This year’s process was streamlined with a new online grants management system that resulted in a more efficient submission and review process with the Vatican in Rome, Papal Nuncios around the world and the Foundation’s staff and grants committee across the United States. This new technology also ensures these dollars are supporting dioceses with the greatest needs.”
“The Papal Foundation is committed to growing its financial support for those most in need in developing nations around the globe,” concluded Executive Director David Savage. “We are a universal Church, and our Stewards of St. Peter believe deeply it their responsibility to care for the poorest of the poor. We are all proud and humbled to support that mission.”