Pope Leo XIV encourages wealthy US Catholics to keep donating
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- Pope Leo XIV encouraged wealthy U.S. Catholics to continue supporting his charitable initiatives during a meeting with The Papal Foundation, highlighting the renewed enthusiasm among American donors following his election as the first U.S.-born pope.
- The Papal Foundation, a major funder of papal development projects, has granted over $270 million in scholarships and aid over four decades, enabling priests and nuns from poor countries to study in Rome.
- Despite previous declines in donations due to financial crises and scandals, the foundation recently approved a record $15 million in grants for 2026 and welcomed 25 new donor families since Leo's election.
- The foundation supports various global projects, including building schools for marginalized children in India and providing technical training for vulnerable women in the Philippines, with membership requiring a $1 million gift.
- Established in 1988 by Cardinal John Krol, The Papal Foundation is governed by a board of Catholic laypeople and bishops, including all U.S. cardinals as members.
