Peter’s Pence is a collection taken up all over the world to support the works of mercy of the Holy See.
Donations assist the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, support the most disadvantaged, and emergency situations such as supporting victims of war and oppression who are in need of humanitarian assistance, natural disasters, and development.
The concrete participation in the needs of the universal ecclesial community has taken different forms throughout history. These collections and donations by the individual faithful or entire local churches raise the awareness that all the baptised have always been called to materially sustain the work of evangelization and at the same time to help the poor in whatever way is possible.
The practice originated in the Holy Scriptures.
In his public life, dedicated to the proclamation of the Good News, Jesus received material aid to support himself with the group of the twelve Apostles (Lk 8:1-3). With this aid they also assisted those most in need (Jn 12:4-7).
After Pentecost, in the time of the Church, the need was felt to support those who dedicated themselves fully to the proclamation of the Gospel (1 Tim 5:17-18).
Saint Paul, in the Churches he founded, instituted the collection in support of the Mother Church of Jerusalem, which faced serious economic difficulties.
This concrete participation in the needs of the community took on various forms throughout history, giving rise to the awareness that all the baptised are required to support, also materially and according to their means, the work of evangelization and at the same time to assist those most in need everywhere in the world.
Through the Peter’s Pence Collection, held every year on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, 29 June, or the nearest Sunday, we are all invited to pray in a special way for the Pope and to offer our contribution in the Church where we attend Mass.
A little or a lot, it is all welcome.
Giving is a gift.