The Papal Foundation, the only charitable organization in the United States that is exclusively dedicated to fulfilling the requests of the Holy Father for the needs of the Catholic Church, announced $14,740,000 in grants, scholarships, and humanitarian aid to care for those in need and grow the Catholic faith around the world.
In 2024, $9,921,000 will be distributed to grant recipients identified by the Vatican, supporting 118 projects in more than 60 countries including: providing for basic needs such as access to clean water; constructing schools and renovating classrooms; translating Church teachings for evangelization; restoring Churches, convents, and seminaries in desperate need of repairs; providing students in remote areas with transportation to further their education; and building healthcare facilities.
“These investments are a core part of our mission to care for the poor and those most in need in developing nations around the world,” said Eustace Mita, President of The Papal Foundation Board of Trustees. “Our Grants Committee prayerfully evaluated all requests from the Vatican, and our Board of Trustees approved a list of 118 grants that will help care for so many in need including our most vulnerable brothers and sisters – the disabled, orphaned children, expectant mothers, and the elderly.”
In addition to grant-making, The Papal Foundation will provide $819,000 in scholarships that will enable more than 100 priests, women religious, and seminarians to study in Rome through the Saint John Paul II Scholarship Program. The Papal Foundation also provides humanitarian aid through its Mission Fund, allocating $4,000,000 in emergency funds for times of crisis to feed the hungry, tend to the sick, and shelter the homeless.
Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Chairman of The Papal Foundation Board of Trustees reminds us, “As we read in the Gospel of Luke, ‘To whom much is given, much shall be required.’ In a society where the divide between rich and poor continues to grow, Stewards of St. Peter of The Papal Foundationrecognize their responsibility to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first,” he said.
Since its inception, The Papal Foundation and its Stewards of Saint Peter have allocated more than $225 million in grants and scholarships around the world to more than 2400 projects selected by Popes Francis and Benedict, and Saint John Paul II.
“These grants, scholarships, and aid to support charitable works are this organization’s gift to the Catholic Church,” concluded David Savage, Executive Director. “It is a blessing to support this mission of cooperation and collaboration, bringing together laity, clergy, and Church hierarchy to address priorities identified by the Holy Father and care for his flock around the globe.”
The Papal Foundation’s Stewards of St. Peter will hold its annual pilgrimage to Rome April 9-13 and will have an audience with Pope Francis during which Cardinal O’Malley will provide an update on the work of The Papal Foundation. More than 60 Stewards of St. Peter and their families will make the pilgrimage.