New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-30
ST. PETERS PENCE.
TIE FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND EXPENSES
OF THE POPE.


Rome, Aug. 10.
The frequent rumOrs spread recently III rg"r"
to the alleged approaching departure oil the ropo
from Rome and his probable reception IN foreign
retreat, have caused many inquiries relative 10
the financial support which he has as the Vatican,
and might have out of it. There ia no likelihood
that Leo XIII will ever give up Rome Tor MS
residence He understands as thoroughly rs any
of his predecessors that Rome and the Papacy are
so intimately connected that a Pope residing out
side the Eternal City would fall down 10 tne
level of the Pontfs who tried to rule the CathollO
world from the French palace at Avignon' IN tne
fourteenth century, during what was called 'he
second captivity Of Babylon" 1t is very easy 10
understand, also, that the Spanish Governmeh'
should have sent confidential note to the Cow
fYnors of it's provinces ordering them not TO par
tc,pate in any movement TO induce the Pope 70
reside in Spain, and to do everything possible 10
discourage the project The Madrid authorities
realize that with the clerical Csrlists who threaten
it on the one side, and the Republicans on me
other side, the presence of the Pope In Spain wouId
oplv add 10 the difficulties Of the Government
Leo Kill, most probably, has never thought
seriously Of leaving the Vatican whence he governs
the Catholic world, and where he enjoys the moral
and financial means for that purpose. 10 SPEAK
only of the Papal cxchequer. IL must DC remem-
befcd that the devotion OF the faithful has always
been found to be equal to its necessities nus IA
and his successor proudly declined TO receive one
cent from the 3,O000 900 lire, or s6OO,ooo, OIL the
annual revenue which the Italian Chambers ordereo
by the law of guarantees" to be set aside Ter the
Pope. and which, since $40, when the Temporal
mower disappeared, has accumulated in the ltanah
tpcssury. The only financial resource OF the Holy
See lies in the prod of the voluntary taX c"eu
-. fnp
Peters Pence, O name of British origin. lor INC
voluntary tribute which The ancient kings OF
England raised for the benefit OF the Papacy was
known under the name Of :" s Peters pennng."
IN 1891 inst after the first Acknowledgement OF
the pont:ncal States, by which fifteen out OF his
,uontv, nrovinces were snatehed from the Pope
rbile leaving on him an undiminished financial
bu,den. the collection OF the Peters Pence was
svstematized for the first time. Previous TO tnac
enocb the Pontifical revenue. which amounted 70
es 600 600 francs or lire lsl 3200.00O) IN 1917.
had increased in 500 to 100000 francs pald
by the 3, 900 600 taxable people then resolhs I'D
the Papal States. Ten years later, in 1871 inc
Pope had no subjects, no territory and no o'ner
budget than that produced by the Peters Pence
which was formerly only chapter In the HOW
Sees budget.
The devotion of Roman Catholics throughout
the world has always been up to the necessities
of the situation, which requires about hooo,ooo
francs Isl 100000 year. The Pope IN iac,
though imprisoned by his own will within the waits
Of the Vatican is obliged, notwithstanding, to
provide for the universal administration OF the
Church. lie has to maintain nuncos IN different
canitals Of the Old and the New World, to CORE
spond with more than 900 Episcopal Sees in every
mart of the globe TO support missionaries abroad.
70 maintain at Rome the Congregation ana bccle-
siastical tribunals which study and elucldate
theological canonical, and hturgical questions Oh
all countries ard in all languages; to pay the
Cardinals salaries, and those of the dlgnithrles
and other employees Of the Pontifical Court 10
furnish funds for the support OF some ecclesssuca'
schools. rs well as for keeping In good ordcr
the sacred "Caslques," churches or chapeE
like St Peter, ST. Mary Major, ST. j Latran.
and finally the Pope considers rs one OF his most
imperous obligations TO preserve intact ana even
TO improve those collections libraries and museums
whose artistic marvels the glory OF the vat
ican and the pride of civilization.
Seven million lire, hardly sl,4Oo,00o. appears to
he n rather inadequate amount of money for the
sccomplshment OF so many duties. Still, Leo
XIII manages SO as to have enough IL IS true he
does not spend anything for himself, or for his
relatives who experience by themselves that the
clorious times when Popes pushed forward and
enriched their kinsmen have passed away. lie
has warned them that after his death nothing shall
come TO them out of the innumerable and precious
gifts sent to Leo XIII personally from every part
of the world on the occasion of his Jubilee. lie
Folds that these riches were actually offered TO
the Church through him as an intermediate. MANY
of his predecessors gave their relatives palaces,
big sums Of money, and titles OF dukes, princes,
etc. Leo NH was satisfied with comforting upon
his nephews, even the young and brilliant Camille.
ich hn1n
in contracting advantageous marriages.
The collections OF St. Peters Pence have pro-
duced on an average, since 1870, little more
tbnn 1000 600 lire and they never were under
100000 in any year or that amount. two
thirds are furnished by France alone. while Italy,
which is drawing such material and moral proht
from the presence of the Pope at Rome that she
would forcibly oppose his departure from there.
contributed last year only / 900 lire $4,000, TO
the Peters Pence fund. No general organization
Is provided toward the collecting of that fund;
no fixed or regular method of collection has ever
been established Everywhere the Offering is free
and anonymous Two collections only take place
each year in the churches, and pence or silver
coins Are thrown in the basket by the faithful
who feel disposed to tender their Offering On
some occasions supplement of revenue comes to
the Pope as, for instance, on the first of January
last, when he oficiated at what is called his
golden mass he received more than 100000
lire 5000 900 for his fees. IL is the habit or
giving fee for every special mass TO the priest
who officiates, q fec which is usually as low
twenty cents, in village churches OF Europe. At
the Jubilee Of Leo Xlu besides the sacred vases.
the clerical vestments, and other precious orna-
ments offered to him, he received half million
francs from the single Convent of the Grande
Cbartreuse near Grenoble. France, where the Car
thusian monks manufacture their celebrated
cordial.
From all these sources money is poured down
~ the Vatican IN sufficient quantities to
Ill requirements. Leo NH, whose ascetc mode
nj living is well known, does not spend 81 900
rear for his immediate wants. His principal mum
dane care. his hobby III this word could be used
respectfully, is TO keep in an excellent condition
the Vatican buildings. The outbuilding called the
Casino of Plus ~, built in &c., after the designs
Of Michael Angelo, by that Pope who wanted to
- O.. IL La NnAinic fnrnilN L. -