During Bergoglio's time, the Pence financed the film about the sodomite singer Elton John and was the source of other financial scandals.
Vatican Plugs Corrupt Peter’s Pence Asking Faithful To Help Leo XIV
June 20, 2025 Tags Peter's Pence from Catholic News Agency by Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
“Take part in the steps of Leo XIV with your donation to Peter’s Pence.”
With these words, the Vatican is encouraging Catholics to participate in the collection to support the Holy Father in his mission at the service of the universal Church.
At the end of June, most parishes hold the Peter’s Pence collection, a financial contribution that the faithful offer to the pontiff as an expression of support for the needs of the Catholic Church around the world and the charitable works it carries out.
RELATED: Peter’s Pence Class Action Lawsuit
The collection is taking place on the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, which is celebrated Sunday, June 29.
According to a statement from the Vatican, Peter’s Pence also represents a gesture “of communion and participation in the pope’s mission to proclaim the Gospel, promote peace, and spread Christian charity.”
In support of this initiative, the Secretariat for the Economy and the Dicastery for Communion released a video presenting the “first steps” of Pope Leo XIV as successor to St. Peter. ( Catholic News Agency)
On January 22, 2020, Stanley Law Group filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island against the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for its role in the fraudulent promotion of Peter’s Pence as a charity to assist individuals throughout the world who have been affected by “war, oppression, natural disaster or disease.” Recent reports have shown as little as 10% of the contributions made to Peter’s Pence are actually used for these stated purposes.
In a press release issued at the time of filing, Marc Stanley stated, “It’s regrettable and tragic that such a trusted and well-respected organization has been taking advantage of the generosity of Catholic donors. USCCB must come clean and give back the money it took from well-intentioned people who thought they were giving urgently-needed funds to help the destitute around the world.”