Peter’s Pence as a Form of Financing the Needs of the Holy See

Abstract

The practice of sending offerings to the Holy See dates back to the seventh century, when the wealthy inhabitants of England began to support the activities of successive popes with temporal goods. It developed and was maintained for a number of years in the territories of England, Gaul, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and also in Poland, from the time of King Bolesław Chrobry. After gradually disappearing, especially during the Reformation, the practice was restored by Pope Pius IX. The institution of Peter’s Pence can be located in Canon 1271 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which obliges bishops to assist in procuring those means which the Holy See needs. This article is an analysis of the said institution from a legal-historical perspective and according to current universal legislation.