The Peter’s Pence Collection has a long tradition as a sign that Catholics around the world are joined in support of the Holy Father

The year 2020 united the whole world in suffering as the COVID-19 pandemic took millions of lives and created widespread economic hardship due to the closure of nonessential businesses. In Lebanon, the hardship of the pandemic was compounded by a catastrophic explosion of a warehouse at the port in Beirut on August 4, 2020. The blast killed more than 200 people and injured and displaced thousands more. With funds collected through the Peter’s Pence Collection, the Holy Father provided an immediate response of €250,000 to the Church in Lebanon, which made medical care, temporary shelter, and other basic needs available to victims through the efforts of Caritas Lebanon, Caritas Internationalis, and sister organizations of Caritas. Donations to the Peter’s Pence Collection support not only the activities of the Roman Curia that assist the pope in the exercise of his ministry but also solidarity projects that help those most in need, such as emergency relief to the people of Lebanon. For more information on Peter’s Pence, please visit the Vatican’s Peter’s Pence website: www.obolodisanpietro.va/en.html.

Support for such papal efforts is rooted in the scriptural message to take care of the poor and expresses unity with the Holy Father in two ways: through the ongoing activities of the Holy See and through the charitable works of the Holy Father on behalf of those most in need.