Leo XIV papacy could mean increased charitable giving, Papal Foundation president says

[Michie]

As the world celebrates the election of the first pope born in the United States, the president of the only U.S.-based charitable organization dedicated to carrying out the Holy Father’s humanitarian aid projects speculates that Leo XIV’s papacy could increase charitable giving within the Church.

“I do think that because Pope Leo is American, he will have a special rapport with Americans that it should lead to increased donation for his causes of the poor and the vulnerable and the marginalized,” said Ward Fitzgerald, the Papal Foundation’s board president.

Funded by donations from its “Stewards of St. Peter,” the Papal Foundation supports humanitarian aid projects designated by the pope and the continuing education of priests and religious. “Ninety to 95% of these benefactors are American,” according to Fitzgerald, who emphasized that none of their contributions go to the Vatican or the Holy See.

Part of the reason Fitzgerald believes the new pontiff’s election could positively influence donations not only to the foundation but also to the Vatican is that the new Holy Father is a native English speaker.

Continued below.

Papal Foundation president: Leo XIV papacy could mean increased giving

President of the Papal Foundation, which carries out the Holy Father’s humanitarian aid projects, thinks Leo XIV’s papacy might increase charitable giving in US.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

 

[Gnarwhal]

I wonder what kind of resources an American Pope can bring to bear, like if there are any good Catholic hedge fund managers out there or executives in places like JP Morgan Chase or Mass Mutual who can advise or maybe even manage the Vatican's assets and help clean up the mess that Becciu and others got us into.

As a nation I don't necessarily know if we're the best at it, but we do know a thing or two about managing wealth.