Among those charitable causes, the Knights dedicated over $750,000 in the past year towards the restoration of the famous bronze Bernini canopy in St. Peter's Basilica.
Pope Leo did not overlook this charity when he met with the Knights.
POPE LEO XIV
I would like to express profound gratitude to the Knights of Columbus for your generosity in making these projects possible. They're a visible sign of your continued devotion to vicar of Jesus Christ.
During the restoration of the canopy, the Supreme Knight of the organization, Patrick Kelly, spoke on the importance of the Knights service to the Successors of Peter.
PATRICK KELLY
Supreme Knight
The decision to support the restoration of the Baldacchino of St. Peter’s Basilica was an easy one for the Knights of Columbus to make.
This project also fits very well with our mission and with our history of service to the Church, and especially, the Successors of St. Peter.
Besides the Bernini restoration, there are thousands of other causes that the Knights contribute to, including the Vicarius Christi Fund, which supports the Pope's personal charities and which Pope Leo did not forget to mention.
POPE LEO XIV
Throughout its history, the Order has supported the charitable work of the Roman pontiff in a variety of ways, including through the Vicarius Christi Fund, which allows him to express solidarity with the poor and most vulnerable throughout the world.
Pope Leo concluded the meeting by blessing the work of the Knights of Columbus and wishing them a fruitful pilgrimage through the Basilica they helped to maintain and beautify.
CRT
