What are the new Catholic indexes launched with Morningstar?

They are two 50‑stock equity benchmarks built with the Vatican’s Institute for the Works of Religion. One targets US equities and the other the Eurozone. The goal is investable exposure that reflects Catholic teaching, giving institutions and advisors a clear yardstick for policy, performance review, and portfolio design.

How can US investors use these indexes right now?

Use them as policy benchmarks, comparison tools for manager selection, and guides for model portfolios. Map current holdings against the screens to flag misalignment. If funds license the indexes later, review expense ratios, taxes, and tracking difference before moving core equity allocations.

Will these indexes affect returns versus the broad market?

They can. Ethical screens may change sector weights and factor exposure, which can raise tracking error. At times this helps returns, at times it hurts. Monitor volatility, drawdowns, and risk-adjusted measures. Set clear expectations with committees about possible performance gaps versus traditional market-cap benchmarks.

Do these indexes guarantee impact or better corporate behavior?

No. Indexes set rules and measure alignment. Impact often depends on how managers vote and engage companies. Pair index exposure with an active stewardship policy. Track metrics like controversies and carbon intensity, and review manager engagement reports to see if actions support your values goals.

Global Market Insights

Morningstar Today, February 12: Vatican Bank Launches Catholic Indexes

ByDanny Kontos February 12, 2026February 12, 2026

Morningstar is teaming with the Vatican’s Institute for the Works of Religion to debut two 50-stock Catholic equity indexes, one for US stocks and one for the Eurozone. The indexes apply ESG Catholic principles and aim to support faith-based investing with clear, rules-based measurement. For US investors, this creates new reference points to compare performance, set policy, and build model portfolios that reflect Catholic teaching. We break down what is new, why it matters, and how to use these benchmarks today.