Is it true that the Knights paid for renovating the facade of St. Peters Basilica in Rome?
Correct. With financial assistance from the Knights, the facade of St. Peter’s was repaired in a 20-month project completed in 1987. The organization also has funded other restoration work in the Basilica, most recently including repairs to the roof of its Blessed Sacrament Chapel. That is only part of the story of the Order’s support of the Pope and the Holy See. In 1981 the Knights established a $10 million trust fund — the Vicarius Christi (Vicar of Christ) Fund — whose proceeds go annually to the Holy Father for his personal charities. The Fund was increased to $20 million in 1988. To date, the Knights up to now have given well over $20 million to Pope John Paul II from this source. For 20 years the K of C has paid uplink costs of satellite telecasts that carry papal ceremonies like the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass to viewers in the United States and many other countries. (These are the most widely watched religious TV programs in the world.) It also has paid for the purchase of e
