The Holy Father has published a Motu Proprio by which he converts into law what he had already written in his Letter to the Secretary of State dated 25 August 2020. This Motu Proprio represents another important step in the reform of the Curia. The decision comes before 1 January, for implementation in the 2021 budget. The Commission established by the Holy Father for the transfer of economic and financial functions from the Secretariat of State to the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, for management, and to the Secretariat for the Economy, for monitoring, which has been working in recent weeks, will continue to specify some technical details until 4 February 4, as was planned.

This new law will reduce the number of economic managers in the Holy See and concentrate administration, management, and economic and financial decisions in the Dicasteries that respond to the purpose. The Holy Father intends it to contribute to a better organisation of the Roman Curia and to an even more specialised functioning of the Secretariat of State, which will be able to assist him and his successors with greater freedom in matters of greater importance for the good of the Church. Since the so-called “Administrative Office” of the Secretariat of State will no longer have to manage or decide on funds and investments, its functions will be reduced.

The Motu Proprio establishes greater control and visibility of Peter’s Pence and of the funds derived from donations by the faithful. In addition, specific controls are reinforced on certain entities related to the Holy See that manage accounts and funds from donations. With these decisions the Holy Father expresses his personal commitment, and that of the Roman Curia, to greater transparency, a clearer separation of functions, more effective controls and a greater adaptation of the economy of the Holy See to the mission of the Church, so that the People of God who help with their generosity to support the mission of the Bishop of Rome may do so with the confidence that their contributions are administered in an appropriate and transparent manner and with the exercise of due controls.