Catholics around Australia are being encouraged to support the Peter’s Pence appeal on Sunday, June 29, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

Donations to the appeal, which goes back to Medieval times, support Pope Leo’s mission from the proclamation of the Gospel to the promotion of integral human development, education and peace.

“To all of you, brothers and sisters … throughout the world: we want to be a Church that moves forward, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close above all to those who are suffering,” Pope Leo said.

Peter’s Pence also aims to support a range of charities which bring aid and comfort to the poor, children, families, the elderly, the marginalised, victims of war and natural disasters, refugees and migrants.

In recent times this support has gone to 236 projects in 76 countries.

The Vatican described Peter’s Pence as “an offering that may be small but has a profound symbolic value: it expresses love and trust for the Holy Father, Peter’s successor. It is a tangible gesture of closeness to the Pope’s mission of bringing the Gospel and spreading charity and love all over the world.”

Catholics are also invited to offer special prayer for the Pope.

Resources for parishes seeking to take part in the appeal can be found here: English