Pope Francis makes dramatic appeal to the cardinals to save money
Vatican City - The Vatican has been suffering from dwindling finances for years. Now Pope Francis has made a dramatic appeal to the College of Cardinals. It's about tightening his belt – and much more.
Published on 20.09.2024 at 14:44 –Pope Francis has made a dramatic appeal to the cardinals to save money. In a letter to the College of Cardinals published on Friday, the Pope writes that it has been recognised "that the economic resources to fulfil the mission are limited and that they must be used rigorously and seriously so that the efforts of those who have contributed to the Holy See's wealth are not wasted".
Therefore, "further efforts by all are needed so that a zero deficit becomes not just a theoretical ideal, but a goal that can actually be realised". In order to achieve a reduction in costs, the Pope calls on the cardinals to set a good example. They should limit themselves to the essentials, avoid the superfluous and set clear priorities. "We must realise that we are faced with strategic decisions that must be taken with great responsibility in order to secure the future of our mission."
Offsetting deficits in solidarity
For this reason, departments that record a surplus must contribute to offsetting the general deficit of the Holy See. Only if there is such generosity internally can one also go out and ask for donations. Francis emphatically recalled that the cardinals gathered in Rome had called for an economic reform immediately before the papal election in March 2013. He now wants to tackle this again in a special way, said the Pope. The past few years have shown how much foresight the cardinals had when they called for a reform of the Curia, i.e. the governing bodies of the Holy See.
In conclusion, the Pope wrote: "I ask you to accept this message with courage and service and to support the reforms that have begun with conviction, loyalty and generosity." The Pope's letter, published on Friday, 20 September, is dated Monday, 16 September.
236 cardinals and a deficit of millions
The College of Cardinals currently consists of 236 cardinals, 123 of whom have not yet reached the age of 80 and would be entitled to vote in a papal election (conclave). The cardinals advise the Pope on important strategic issues. Before the election of a new pope, the entire College meets for several days of consultations on the state of the Church and the Vatican.
According to media reports, the Holy See had a budget deficit of over 80 million euros last year. With more than 2,000 employees each in the Vatican State and the Roman Curia, personnel costs are by far the most important expense. Donations from all over the world as well as income from investments, rentals, entrance fees and profits from the Vatican Bank have not been sufficient to offset expenditure for some years now - not least due to the coronavirus pandemic. The deficit grew by 5 million euros in 2023 alone. (KNA)
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