Pope Leo XIV's election sparks record $15M in Catholic grants for 2026
The election of Pope Leo XIV has brought renewed energy to the U.S. Catholic community, particularly among wealthy donors. In response, The Papal Foundation has announced its largest-ever round of grants, totalling over $15 million for 2026. Founded in 1988 by the late Cardinal John Krol of Philadelphia, The Papal Foundation has distributed more than $270 million in grants over the past 38 years. Its membership consists of all U.S. cardinals, alongside a board of trustees made up of Catholic laypeople and bishops. To join as a steward, families must contribute at least $1 million.
Since Pope Leo XIV’s election, 25 new families have become stewards of the foundation. The latest funding will support projects such as building a safe school for marginalised tribal children in India and providing technical training for vulnerable women in the Philippines. Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the foundation’s generosity, stating that its work allows 'countless people to experience in a concrete fashion the goodness and kindness of God'.
The record $15 million in grants for 2026 marks the highest annual total in the foundation’s history. The funds will directly support education, training, and humanitarian efforts across multiple countries. The surge in donations follows a year of increased engagement since the new pope’s appointment.
