Pope Leo XIV issued a series of significant administrative decrees on June 30, 2026, reshaping the Vatican’s financial supervisory framework and modifying the governance structure of the Vicariate of Rome. The moves represent a continuation of institutional reforms initiated under his predecessor and reflect the pontiff’s emphasis on financial accountability within Church leadership.

Overhaul of Financial Watchdog

The Pope signed a new 12-article statute governing the ASIF (Supervisory and Financial Information Authority), the Vatican’s agency responsible for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and weapons proliferation financing. The restructuring eliminates the organization’s existing president and board positions, replacing them with a director and deputy director, each appointed by the Pope for five-year terms.

Under the revised framework, ASIF retains its core mandates in financial intelligence gathering and prudential supervision but now submits its annual and financial reports to the Vatican’s Council for the Economy for approval. The reform also expands ASIF’s authority to arbitrate disputes involving the Institute for the Works of Religion, the Holy See’s banking institution.

In a statement accompanying the decree, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that “transparency, integrity, and accountability in economic and financial activities constitute indispensable elements of good governance and service to the common good, which must characterize the Institutions of the Holy See and of the Vatican City State.”

Rome Diocese Governance Adjusted

The Pope issued a motu proprio—legislation issued on his own initiative—adjusting the constitution “In Ecclesiarum Communione,” which Pope Francis had promulgated in 2023 to reorganize the Roman Curia’s role in diocesan governance. Pope Leo’s revision, issued under the title “Confirma Fratres Tuos,” reaffirms the cardinal vicar’s authority over the Vicariate of Rome while establishing a new position of “moderator curiae,” also to be appointed by the Pope for a five-year term.

The adjustment followed a working group review ordered by Pope Leo in February 2026, indicating an effort to balance centralized papal oversight with the cardinal vicar’s traditional governing role in the diocese that encompasses the city of Rome.

Personnel Changes in the Curia

The decrees included several appointments within the Roman Curia. Bishop Marco Mellino was promoted from adjunct secretary to secretary of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, a move reflecting his increased role in shaping the Church’s legislative framework. Msgr. Lucio Adrián Ruiz transferred from the Dicastery for Communication to the Dicastery for Service of Charity, effective in September 2026. Massimo Ralli was named undersecretary of the Dicastery for Service of Charity, the office responsible for coordinating charitable work under papal direction.

Peter’s Pence and Charitable Operations

The decrees were accompanied by financial data on Peter’s Pence, the traditional collection supporting papal operations and charitable work. In 2025, intake totaled 57.6 million euros against spending of 59.8 million euros, resulting in a 2.2 million euro deficit. Of the funds deployed, 41.2 million euros supported Holy See operations, while 13.3 million euros funded 252 direct-assistance projects across 74 countries.

Pope Leo’s first encyclical placed Catholic social teaching at the heart of Church doctrine, and these financial reforms align with that emphasis on transparent stewardship and institutional integrity. The restructuring of ASIF and the revision of diocesan governance represent practical applications of the Pope’s commitment to accountable administration. In addition, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit the World Food Programme headquarters in Rome, underscoring his focus on the Church’s charitable mission and coordination with international development efforts.

The June 30 decrees—issued on the Pope’s traditional day off—demonstrate the breadth of institutional work occupying the early months of his pontificate as he settles administrative structures while maintaining his public pastoral commitments.

Category: Vatican