The Peter’s Penceannual worldwide collection of donations to the pope for charitable actions, it reached almost 47 million euros ($49 million) in 2021, slightly higher than 2020 but still below pre-pandemic levels, the Vatican announced Thursday.
In 2021, donations from the faithful reached 46.9 million euros, while expenses amounted to 65.3 million, according to a statement from the Holy See press office.
This figure is slightly higher than the 44.1 million euros raised in 2020, when there was a sharp decrease compared to the 53 million euros collected in 2019, before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Pence of Saint Peter collects the donations of the diocesefoundations and private donors to finance certain activities of the Holy See and charitable missions abroad.
Of the 67 countries that contributed, the United States, Italy and Germany topped the list, while Africa was the continent that benefited the most.
Some 10 million euros were allocated to assistance missions around the world (fight against povertyaid to refugees, social projects, churches in difficulty…), details the Vatican.
It is the first time that the Holy See has published a detailed report on the last Peter’s Pence. The Pope Francisco has multiplied the measures to improve the financial transparency of the Vatican, in the spotlight for its opaque efforts.