“Faced with the cry of hunger — all types of “hunger” — of many brothers and sisters in every part of the world, we cannot be detached and calm spectators. The proclamation of Christ, Bread of eternal life, requires a generous commitment of solidarity toward the poor, the weak, the least ones, the defenceless.”   (Pope Francis, Angelus, 29 July 2018)

On Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June 2022, all parishes in Malta will be collecting offerings for Peter’s Pence, the traditional collection to support the charitable work of Pope Francis to help our suffering brothers and sisters as well as to support the work of the Holy See around the world.

What is Peter’s Pence?

Peter’s Pence is the name given to the financial support offered by the faithful to the Holy Father as a sign of their sharing in the concern of the Successor of Peter for the many different needs of the Universal Church and for the relief of those most in need.

The Goal of Peter’s Pence

Contributions to Peter’s Pence for the exercise of the Pope’s universal mission, are directed in two ways: in the financing, the many activities of service carried out by the Curia (e.g. formation of the clergy, communication, promotion of integral human development, education, justice, etc.) and in contributing with the material needs of poor dioceses, religious institutes and faithful in serious difficulties (the poor, children, the elderly, the marginalized, refugees and migrants, victims of wars, and natural disasters.

Other collections for the Holy Father take place on World Mission Day, celebrated annually on the penultimate Sunday in October, and the annual collection for the Holy Land on Good Friday.

More details can be obtained from the Vatican’s website on Peter’s Pence.