Cash-strapped Vatican unveils fundraising video centred on Pope Leo

18/6/2025 18:14

The Vatican on Wednesday unveiled a fundraising video centred on newly elected Pope Leo, urging the faithful to support his mission amid a serious financial crisis for the Catholic Church.



The slick one-minute video was shown on giant screens in St. Peter's Square to crowds waiting for the pope's weekly audience, and spread on social media and the internet by Vatican news outlets.



It starts with footage of the white smoke that announced Leo's election on May 8, followed by his first words as pope, "Peace be with you all", and images of cheering crowds, all accompanied by gentle piano music.



The video urges people to donate to Peter's Pence - a papal fund used to support church activities and charity work which, according to latest available records, received 48.4 million euros ($55.66 million) in donations in 2023.



The pope's home nation, the United States, accounted for the biggest share, equal to just over 28% of the total, but expenses far outstripped offerings, with the fund disbursing 103 million euros in the year, the Vatican said.