"Together, we safeguard the heritage and advance the charitable works of the Vatican."
— Lorraine Dodero
Who are the Friends of the Vatican?
The Friends of the Vatican was established in 2025 with the mission to “establish, receive, and maintain a fund or funds for the support of the charitable works of the Vatican.” The Foundation strives to act as a pillar of support for the neverending list of charitable projects, programs, and initiatives of the Vatican, which range from architectural restoration to facilities updates, to investing in security and internal systems, and more.
Mission and Vision
The Friends of the Vatican is a 501(c)(3) Illinois charitable nonprofit corporation entrusted with the mission to “establish, receive, and maintain a fund or funds for the support of the charitable works of the Vatican, located within the confines of the Vatican City-State, as well as all extra-territorial Vatican property.
"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
— James 2:14-17
Our Work
Each year, the Board of Directors selects which of the Vatican’s charitable projects and programs will receive funding from the Foundation. These initiatives include projects such as the restoration and preservation of significant architecture, investing in green energy solutions and modern renovations for historic buildings, revamping security for His Holiness the Pope and visiting pilgrims, and much more.
some of the recent charitable initiatives from the Vatican for which the Foundation has helped to underwrite costs or has granted funds towards:
Vatican Gardens - watering, groundskeeping, planting
Agrivoltaics Project
Renovations - multimedia centers, telephones, and air conditioning
Ways to Give
The Annual Fund is a Board-designated account through which the Board of Directors can withdraw funds for the most pressing needs of the Foundation and the Vatican. The Annual Fund serves as the Friends of the Vatican’s “checking account,” which provides funding for current projects and initiatives from Vatican City adopted by the Foundation. By donating to the Annual Fund, your gift will have an immediate impact on the Friends of the Vatican’s work and grantmaking.
