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Papal Foundation Approves Record 2026 Grants Exceeding $15 Million

The surge reflects renewed U.S. donor energy under Pope Leo XIV.

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Pope Leo XIV holds his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV holds his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Overview

  • The Papal Foundation, which met Pope Leo XIV on Saturday in Rome, approved more than $15 million to fund 144 projects across 75 countries in 2026.
  • The Board of Trustees set the total as $12.5 million in current grants with another $3 million to be distributed through the foundation and affiliates before year’s end.
  • Projects include school and clinic upgrades, a dormitory in Tanzania to protect girls, a safe school in India, a library and tech center in the Central African Republic, IT training for women in the Philippines, and a well in Guinea.
  • The foundation reported 25 new Steward families since Leo’s election, a tier that starts with a $1 million gift from wealthy U.S. Catholics to back papal projects.
  • Since 1988 the organization has distributed more than $270 million to over 2,700 projects worldwide, using Vatican requests vetted by a grants committee chaired by Dr. Tammy Tenaglia.