Vatican finances
Vatican employees criticize pay cuts by Pope Francis as ‘anti-meritocratic and disincentivizing’
By Claire Giangravé — May 20, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Vatican employees complained to Pope Francis about the pay cuts he enacted at the Vatican, which is struggling financially due to mismanagement and the pandemic. Employees say it should not be up to them to foot the bill.
Pope Francis decrees cardinals and bishops can be tried by lay judges
By Claire Giangravé — April 30, 2021
(RNS) — By breaking down distinctions in the hierarchy, the new decree represents a strike against clericalism in the church, which Francis has combated since becoming pope.
Pope Francis’ new decree demands financial transparency from Vatican managers
By Claire Giangravé — April 29, 2021
(RNS) — The new decree would make it more difficult for Vatican personnel to engage in transactions such as the $200 million London real estate deal that caused the downfall of a prominent cardinal.
Italian prosecutors request arrest warrant for Italian financier named in Vatican scandals
By Claire Giangravé — April 12, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Torzi’s legal team claimed to be 'perplexed' with Italian prosecutors' request for an arrest warrant, given that the Vatican's similar allegations were 'demolished' by a British judge only last month.
Pope celebrates surprise Holy Thursday with ousted cardinal
By Nicole Winfield — April 2, 2021
(RNS) — "Such a gesture of paternity doesn't seem strange on a day like today, Holy Thursday," said a Vatican official, without confirming the story.
British judge unfreezes assets of key figure in Vatican financial scandal
By Claire Giangravé — March 26, 2021
(RNS) — The judge ruled that there is no 'reasonable cause' to believe that Gianluigi Torzi, who was arrested by the Vatican last year, has benefited from criminal conduct.
Pope Francis reduces cardinal wages as Vatican finances struggle due to pandemic
By Claire Giangravé — March 24, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In its financial budget for 2021, the Vatican announced that the financial toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on Vatican coffers amounts to more than $60 million.
Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI shuts down ‘fanatics,’ saying Francis is the only pope
By Claire Giangravé — March 1, 2021
(RNS) — Dismissing conspiratorial rumors about his resignation, Benedict admitted that while 'it was a difficult decision,' he still believes it to have been the right thing.
COVID-19 pandemic has Vatican bracing for $60 million deficit in 2021
By Claire Giangravé — February 19, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The pandemic has shrunk donations and closed the high-earning Vatican museums for months.
Cardinal Pell calls for more lay involvement in Vatican financial reform efforts
By Claire Giangravé — January 15, 2021
(RNS) — Lay men and women bring expertise and knowledge that the Vatican lacks, said Pope Francis' former financial reform czar.
Pope Francis strips Vatican Secretariat of State of assets in reform move
By Claire Giangravé — December 29, 2020
(RNS) — While the Secretariat of State’s power will still be considerable, the new decree increases the power of other Vatican agencies.
Pope Francis continues financial overhaul with changes to Vatican watchdog agency
By Claire Giangravé — December 8, 2020
(RNS) — Smoking out financial scandal has been a motif of Francis’ papacy.
Disgraced Cardinal Becciu seeks redemption by putting up a fight
By Claire Giangravé — December 2, 2020
(RNS) — Stripped of the privileges of his rank and living under the cloud of scandal, the cardinal seems to have no intention of going quietly.
‘Cardinal’s lady’ arrested in Milan is latest to be accused in widening Vatican scandal
By Claire Giangravé — October 14, 2020
(RNS) — Cecilia Marogna’s arrest is only the latest as the Vatican continues to reform its troubled finances.
Cardinal Pell’s timely return to Rome fuels rumors of his restoration as finance sheriff
By Claire Giangravé — October 9, 2020
(RNS) — His return coincides with the resignation of Cardinal Angelo Becciu, whose name has recently been mentioned in connection with numerous questions about church funds.
