Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-05-28
Leo Striving to Secure Greater
Economy of Expenditure at
the Vatican.
ltemiZed Statement of the Budget
Devoted to Different Depart
ments of Government.
Many Charitable Enterprises Receive
Help from His Holiness to an
Unknown Extent.

ROME, Nav 24.-The pope is taking
steps to secure a greater economy of ex-
pendIture at the vatican. He has ap.
pointed a commission of cardinals charged
to do their utmost to effect reduction in
expenses. 1t is believed to be the first
time since Sextus Y that the pope has
interfered in the constitution of the
congregations of Rome. The misery in
Italy and the effects of national
bankruptcy on the funds OF the vatican
have considerably augmented extraordin-
airy expenses Everybody asks money of
the pope. Then again, the work of the
holy see is continually increasing. Leo
Mi has created at Rome and especially
IN mission fields special undertakings
which require much money. The crusade
against slavery has absorbed considerable
sums. The pope is lavish in his endow-
ments to schools. sciences and benevolent
agencies. Leo XIII. Is not SO liberal to
persons as was Plus TX. but to causes of
general interest his generosity borders on
prodigality.
1t is the practice of the radical press Of
all countries and especially Of Italy, at
times to represent the pope as disposing
Of millions on millions; as sur
rounded by all the Injuries and
magnifcence of an eastern potentate
and as exploiting for interested purposes
the faith of his people. At other times It
represents that the contributions OF ST..
Peters pence are dwindling to insIgnlf-
cant proportions and that the pope will
soon be obliged TO accept the annuity of
5000, 900 francs set auart for him by the
Italian government under the guarantee
law. Neither of these representations
is accurate. While the pope's resources are
less than the civil list OF most European
soyereigns, yet by wise administration
tIese resources, If not entlreI y adequate to
all needs of the chu Oh, are sufficient to in.
sure the working Of its principal service
The revenues Of the pontifcal budget are
disbursed substantially as follows: At
the disposal Of the pope, $780,
coo francs; of the cardinals,
100000; poor dioceses, 100000;
prefecture Of apostolic palaces, 1,800,000;
secretaryship of state, 100000; employees
and functionaries, 100000; pontifcaI
schools and almsgiving, 100000; the
serves to maintain his household, and also
under other headings of the budget.
the expense of the holy father The
emolurnentS of each cardinal amount to
10000 francs. The fourth item of the
budget, that of the prefecture Of palaces,
varies between one and a half and two
million francs. 1t includes all the ex
penses for the pontifcial court, the palace
Of the vatican and the apostolic
palaces, the maintenance Of museums, etc.
The million Of francs assigned to the
sccretaly ship Of state covers the expenses
Of that Office ard those of the runciatures
aud apolistic delegations. The allow
ances for employees and functionarles COW
ers only the pensions Of faithful servants
of the pontiicial government who refused
to pass into the service OF the Italian gov
eminent. This item becomes smaller year
by year as death thins the ranks
Of veterans. Nearly all Catholic schools
III Rome are maintained at the charge Of
the pope and tie demands Of charity tend
constantly to increase.
Outside of these ordinary expenses there
Is a heavy budget of extraordinary expen.
ses. The propaganda of faith has already
received three subventions of 500, 900
francs each. while institutions and
academies Of Rome receive subsidies. It
is impossible to estimate how much the
pope gives privately. His resources are
difficult to enUmerate. Even the admin
istration of St. Peters pence itself does
not know the exact receipts and eXpendl-
lures Of the pope.