The herald., 1894-01-01
THE FINANCES OF THE POPE,
An Era of Economy at the
Vatican.
Continued Decrease in the Papal
Revenues.
France the Most Liberal Contributor.
Gifts from Royal Courts.
Other Interest
ing Details.

Since the heavy losses made by the
popeA year or more ago the finances OF
the Vatican have been superintended
with great care. "It is known" says
Paris paper, "that a committee of
prelates and several cardinals exists at
Rome whose duty it is to regulate the
use of the sums of money which flow
into the treasury of the Vatican. These
sums come principally from two sources:
The revenues of the property possessed
by the pope and the gifts OF the faithful,
known as Peters pence. The property
of the Vatican is of various kinds, but
the greater part of it consists of money
or bonds, placed in England and France
under control OF the Paris house OF
Rothschild. Peters pence is an annual
revenue which is far from being fixed.
In good years the total of the sum re-
ceived from all countries of the world
reaches 5000, 600 francs. Sometimes it
i5 as low ss 5000, 900 and even 5000, 900.
This has been the case for the last five
years. This diminution is due, in great
part, to the discord between the royal
ists and the French Catholics, produced
by the republican policy of the pope.
France alone furnished two-thirds and
often three-quarters of Peters pence.
And in France it is the royalists who
prove themselves most generona. But
since the adhesion of Leo XIII TO the
republic many of them, more royalist
than Catholic, have closed their purses
to the pope. However, despite all this,
French bishops still forward the largest
gums to his holiness. Thus the bishop
of Mantle sent a few days ago 100000
franca from his flock as their gift to the
vatican treasury.
'tItaly," adds the Journal, Contrib
utes only a small part OF the revenues
few hundred thousand francs year.
The Romans show themselves in this
regard less generous than the other
Italians. On the other hand, the Anglo
Saxon ountries-England, Ireland,
Australia and the United States-begin
to send important sums. If Catholicism
continues to grow in these countries, it
is easy to see that in time the Vatican
will draw considerable Gums from them.
again, there are the royal courts,
such as Austria, which send annually
rich presents to the pope. This is even
true of princes of ancient Italian
families. Francis Ii, ex-king ofANaples,
and Marie Theresa, formerly grand
duchess of Tuscany, never fail to send
their offerings, which consist of several
thousands of francs. The Comtes1 de
Chsmbord was accustomed to send ran-
nuslly $4,000 francs; the Count of Paris
sends the same sum.
"The expenses OF the vatican" con-
tinues the writer, "amount annually to
more than 100000 francs. They are
regulated as follows: For the personal
wants OF the pope. 100000 francs; for
the cardinals. 100000 francs; for poor
dioceses, 400, 900; administration of the
vatican. 100000; secretary OF state,
100000; employees and ablegates,
100000; support OF schools and poor,
100000.
1.-THE cardinals at Rome live at the
expense OF the pope. The income OF
each from this eource is at least %, 900
francs. The secretary of state is charged
with upholding relations with foreign
governments by the mediation of nun
clos. The four most mportant-Paris,
Vienna, Madrid and Lisbon - each
receive an allowance of $4,000 francs a
year.
''The last jubilee of Pope Leo XIII
brought to the vatican 100000 francs.
At the first, celebrated FIVE years ago,
12,000,0 francs were received. In the
course of years the Pope hes introduced
q number of economies in the different
branches Of the vatican service, and for
that reason he has been called miserly.
This accusation is not merited; the
economies became necessary in a state
whose expenses ares considerable and
whose revenues continue to diminish.
Leo XIII has many reasons to follow
the examples of his illustrious prede-
cessor. Sixtus, as it is difficult in the
present time to count on the generosity
of the faithful"