Ana Torres Fonseca
Peter’s Pence is the donation fund through which the faithful support the pope and his charitable works. According to the latest figures, it raised €57.6 million in 2025.
The funds were used in two main areas. Around €41 million went toward the Holy See’s operating expenses, including the Roman Curia and the support of papal nunciatures. A further €13 million funded the pope’s charitable works.
In 2025 the Vatican financed 252 projects in 74 countries, such as Africa, Asia and Europe. The projects included humanitarian aid in Ukraine and Gaza, construction of a church in Egypt, a convent in Sri Lanka and a pastoral center in Burkina Faso, as well schools and seminaries.
The United States topped the list of donors with more than €14 million, followed by Italy, Brazil and South Korea. But the biggest surprise this year came from France.
France, which ranked second in 2024 with €8 million in donations, fell to sixth place this year after contributing only €1.3 million.
Compared with the 2024 report, donations increased overall. Even so, expenses remain high and the fund still recorded a deficit of €2.2 million.
