Pope Leo XIV Abolishes World Children’s Day Committee, Transfers Oversight to Vatican Dicastery
Pope Leo XIV has formally abolished the Pontifical Committee for World Children’s Day, bringing an end to the body established by Pope Francis in 2024 to coordinate the Church’s global initiative dedicated to children. The decision was announced through a chirograph published on February 13, marking a structural change in how the event will be governed within the Roman Curia.
The committee had been created to oversee the ecclesial animation and pastoral organization of World Children’s Day, an event inspired by the model of World Youth Day. Its purpose was to gather children from across continents in Rome for a celebration of faith, music, testimony, and encounter with the Holy Father. The first edition took place on May 25, 2024 at Rome’s Olympic Stadium and drew more than 50,000 children and teenagers, including participants from regions affected by conflict.
In August 2025, Pope Leo XIV had already placed the committee under the authority of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, effectively changing its status from an entity reporting directly to the Pope. The new chirograph now completes that process by dissolving the committee entirely and transferring full responsibility for the initiative to the dicastery, which is led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
According to the papal document, the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life will assume all matters previously handled by the committee. The decision, Pope Leo stated, is intended to promote greater institutional synergy and more effective coordination in advancing the mission of World Children’s Day. The Holy See emphasized that this step follows consultation and continues the direction set out in the earlier rescript.
The abolition of the committee also revokes its founding chirograph and statutes. All acts and regulations previously adopted by the committee cease to have legal effect in both canonical and civil terms. As a result, the president, vice president, and other appointed members immediately conclude their mandates.
The prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life has been entrusted with resolving any outstanding matters connected to the committee. A final liquidation report is to be prepared and presented to the Secretariat for the Economy for approval, including decisions concerning the allocation of any remaining assets.
Despite the structural change, World Children’s Day itself will continue. The second edition has already been scheduled for September 25 to 27, 2026 in Rome. The event remains part of the Church’s broader pastoral outreach to younger generations, reflecting an ongoing commitment to creating spaces where children can experience the universality of the Catholic faith and the closeness of the Pope.
Pope Leo XIV’s decision highlights an administrative consolidation within the Vatican, reinforcing the role of established dicasteries in managing global initiatives while maintaining continuity in the Church’s pastoral priorities for children and families.
