Less than a year after it was founded, Pope Leo XIV dissolved the commission for generating donations for the Vatican on Thursday.
A new working group is now to work out a "suitable structure" for the Holy See's fundraising, according to Leo's order, which is dated 29 September.
Leo had recently transferred the head of the Vatican's fundraising office to Unesco in Paris. He did not appoint a successor at the time.
Leo's predecessor Francis (2013-2025) had only established the "Commissio de donationibus pro Sancta Sede" body in February and approved the statutes for a trial period of three years.
The commission was to use its own campaigns to collect donations from the faithful, bishops' conferences and other potential benefactors on which the Holy See and the Pope depend for their work.
On the recommendation of the Economic Council
According to Leo XIV, the dissolution of the Commission was the result of a recommendation by the Vatican's Economic Council to reorganise this area.
All acts already carried out by the committee are cancelled by the papal decree; the Vatican's asset administration is tasked with liquidation. The assets will be transferred to the Holy See.
The Vatican recently reported a positive development in its finances.
The Holy See was back in the black in 2024, thanks in part to an increase in donations.