Posted May 12, 2023

The Papal Foundation has given $14.3 million in grants for 114 projects in 57 countries to support the growth of the Catholic Church and help people in need in developing nations in 2023.

Established in 1988, the Chester-based foundation is the only one in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to fulfilling the requests of the Holy Father for the needs of the Church.

“Stewards of St. Peter are dedicated to bringing the love of Christ to a world in need and being intimately connected with the work of the Church and the Holy Father,” said Eustace Mita, President of The Papal Foundation Board of Trustees. “The needs around the world are urgent and persistent, which is why we are proud to support the Vatican’s work delivering care and sharing the faith with vulnerable people.”

Since its inception, The Papal Foundation and its Stewards of Saint Peter have allocated more than $200 million in grants and scholarships around the world to more than 2,300 projects selected by Popes Francis and Benedict, and Saint John Paul II that include:

-supporting homeless adults and children;
-building and renovating hospitals,
-health facilities, seminaries and convents;
-delivering much needed relief for natural disasters and services for refugees and immigrants;
-funding pro-life programs and education;
-and caring for aging priests and religious.

In addition to grant making, The Papal Foundation supports priests, women religious and seminarians studying in Rome through its Saint John Paul II Scholarship Program, as well as provides humanitarian aid through its Mission Fund.

This year, the fund is addressing timely needs such as supporting the resettling of migrants and refugees who have fled the conflict in the Ukraine, as well as providing food and nutrition for families in need in South America and addressing substance abuse and related violence in South Africa.

“Our mission is to serve and walk in union with the Holy Father and the Roman Catholic Church,” said Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Chairman of The Papal Foundation Board of Trustees. “Bringing the clergy, laity, and Church leaders together to collaboratively address needs identified by Pope Francis is a powerful witness to our faith.”

“We are blessed to have the support of our Stewards, who recognize our collective responsibility to serve our brothers and sisters in need,” concluded David Savage, Executive Director.

For more information about The Papal Foundation and its grants, visit thepapalfoundation.org.