Pope donates €100,000 to poor dioceses in Argentina

August 16, 2013 - Pope Francis has himself led the way while encouraging Catholics in his native Argentina to “unceasingly” reach out to help those in need by participating in a national collection on Sunday, Sept. 8. The Argentine Pontiff was the first to offer his own contribution by donating €100,000 to the special collection for dioceses in need. Pope Francis had earlier sent a message to Argentinian Catholics, through Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, urging them to generously participate in the drive on the theme, “We Trust in Your Help.” The Pope's donation was drawn from the collection taken up annually around the world in June, known as Peter's Pence, which the Holy Father uses to help those suffering from natural disasters, hunger and other calamities. As a priest and bishop in Argentina, Pope Francis worked closely with large sectors of the population suffering from poverty, and now as head of the Catholic Church he continues to keep in touch with them. The administrator of the collection, Luis Porrini, said that although the collection will be taken up on Sept. 8, the Pope’s donation will arrive beforehand, since donations for the cause can be made year round. (Source: CNA)