The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-04
INCOME OF THE POPE
1t Has Steadily Decreased and Is Now
Below Necessary Expenses.
New York Tribune.

Since the heavy losses made by the Pope
a year or more ago the finances of the
Vatican have been superintendent with great
care. 1T is KNOWN says a 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
can. These sums come principally from
two sources: The revenues of the property
faithful, known as Peters Pence. The
property of the Vatican is of various kinds,
but the greater part of 1t consists of money
or bonds, placed in England or France,
under control of the Paris house of Roths-
child: Peters Pence is an annual revenue
years the total of the sum received from all
countries of the world reaches 100000
francs. Sometimes it is as low as 100000
for ak least five years. This diminution is
due, in great part, to the discord between
the royalists and the French Catholics pro-
duced by the republican policy OF the Pope.
France alone furnished two-thirdS and often
three-quarters of Peters Pence. I'D in
France it is the royalists who prove them
selves most generous. But since the adhe-
sion 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 sums to his Holiness. Thus,
the Bishop of Mantle sent a few days ago
100. 0O) francs from his flock as their gift 10
the Vatican treasury.
Italy" adds the journal, contributes
only a small part CT the revenue few
iii III OhG DAf( Il 1t3lH III INO-
mans show themselves in this regard less
generous than other Italians. on the other
hand, the Anglo-SaXon countries-England,
Ireland, Australia and the United States
begin 70 send important sums. If Catholi-
cism continues to grow in these countries,
IL is easy to see that i'm time the Vatican
will draw considerable sums from them.
Again there are the royal courts. such
as that of Austria, which send annually
true of princes Of ancient Italian families.
Francis III. eX-king of Naples. and Maria
Theresa, formerly Grand Duchess of Tus-
which consist of several thousands of
francs. The Comte de Chambord was ac-
customed to give annually $4,000 francs; the
Count OF Paris sends the sar\, amount.
1.-The expenses of the Vatican" continues
the writer, amounts annually to more
than 100000 francs. they are regulated
as follows: For the personal wants of the
Pope. SOC. 900 francs: for the cardinals. 7O0.-
of the Vatican. 1900. 600; Secretary of State,
1.OOO. O0; employees and ablegates, 1,500, 000;
schools and poor, 100000.
THE Cardinals at Rome live at the eX-
pense Of the Pope. The income of each
from this source is at least $4,000 francs.
The Secretary OF State is charged with up
holding relations with foreign governments
by tho mediation of nunciOs. The four
most important-Paris, Vienna. Madrid and
Lisbon-each receive an allowance OF ca. 900
francs 2 year.
"The last jubilee OF Pope Leo XIII
brought TO the Vatican 1900. 600 francs. At
the first, celebrated five years ago. 1900. 900
francs were received. In the course OF five
years the Pope has introduced a number
of economies in the different branches OF
the Vatican service, and for that reason he
has been called misery. This accusation
ia not merited; the econor.ieS became nee
siderable and whose revenues copuDue to
diminish"