The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-20
POPE'S BANK ACCOUNT
1T is LARGE AND GROWING AT THE
BANK OF ENGLAND.
The Pontif Is Very Able Financier
and Has strengthened the Vati-
cans Resources Materially.

London Tit-bits.
If the ordinary individual were asked to
name the six richest men in the world, it
is exceedingly doubtful if he would include
in his list the Pope. Nevertheless. his
Holiness, Leo XIII. deserves a place
one of the worlds wealthiest men.
Although no statement of his receipts at
the Vatican can be secured, it is not diff
cult to estimate from certain known facts
and gain fairly accurate idea of the pom
tifial budget. During the year 1900 the
Pope's income was indeed a princely one.
The papel receipts were increased by fully
81. 500 900, and the total amount that passed
through the Popes hands could not have
amounted to much less than S5.OOOO0o,
s13,5O0 day Few capitalists can be said
to enjoy a yearly income of 100000.
Altogether over S75000,OO0 has passed
through his hands since he elevated
to the papal chair.
The greater part of the Popes income is
obtained from what is known Peters
pence In 1900 holy year, this alone
amounted to $2,5OO,O0O. AS rule it gener-
ally totals about half that sum, but the
greatly increased interest in the church in
holy year responsible for great in
crease in the total amount of offerings to
this fund. In addition to Peters pence
a large revenue is obtained from real es-
tate and from sums invested in various
securities. So far as the writer has been
able TO ascertain. the Pope's income for the
last year was as follows:
Income from real estate in Italy
and abroad OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. $4,000
Income from sums invested in Sc
curities, etc.................. 300 900
Special donations and gifts........ 100000
refer pence .......................... z,ovVoO
r., =, o. 80
Eight hundred and seventy-five thousand
pounds in one year is, indeed. magnifi-
cent income. Against this however. we
have TO consider the expenses of running
the Vatican, which is no small item. The
Vatican is the largest palace in the world.
IL can boast of 11.0O0 separate apartments.
comprising a large number of halls, gal
leries, chapels and corridors. eight grand
staircases and two hundred smaller ones
an immense library of about 10000 volumes,
and within its walls is a beautiful garden
with twenty courtyards. The court and
retinue number LOO personages, including
chamberlains, house prelates private sec
papal army. over all is the Pope. who is
absolute ruler, both spiritually and tenn
poraIly In this interesting kingdom.
EXPENSE AND INCOME
AT the same time Leo XIITs expenses
do not total anything like his income.
They consist principally of salaries and
household expenses. The salaries of cardi-
The Vatican guards and gendarmes ex
haust a sum OF $4,000 in salaries. The
papal servants, prelates in attendance. IL
brary. museum, galleries and various
household and personal expenses amount
to another s25O,0c0 $4,000 is given away
every year in charities. while the repairs
at st. Peters in 1900 cost another $50 0Us,
Altogether sl.O00,0cO is required every year
to run the Vatican.
Peters pence. the Pope's greatest source
of revenue, was devised by the late Cardi-
nal Manning after the Pope lost the reve-
nues which came to him when he enjoyed
temporal power. 1t consists of contribu-
tons sent 10 Rome by the faithful from
all parts Of the world a special colIec-
ton is taken in every Catholic Church an
nually for this purpose, the amounts be-
ing brought to the Vatican by each bishop
at the time of his visit. Hundreds OF
thousands are collected in this way every
year. but the amount last year was great
er than that in any previous year of Leo
KITS reign.
1t is generally conceded that all dona-
tons and gifts presented to the Pope are
his own personal property, and he has alb
solute control over them. 1t may be here
stated that II Is the custom when nohiii-
/ TIES ana persons OF wealth are presented
10 the Pope for them 10 leave a little
check behind or some jeweled gift.
Inc interest acCruing from Investments
l. very large. and is principally the result
oil wise financing during the reign OF the
present Pope IL IS stated on the highest
authority that since 1S3 his Holiness has
been able To invest some years as much 49,
S5,er,vo. Curiously enough most of the
money rests IN British bonds and secur-
| tiles, and the income derived from them
ALREADY reaches a very respectable figure
In Rome Leo XIII has earned quite q repu-
tation as financier
CHARACTER OF INVESTMENTS
When the Pope assembled to the papal
chair IL cannot be said that his election
found favor IN every quarter. His one
hobby was economy. The loss OF the tenn
| porai power or 1870. with the consequent
| dininution OF the revenues OF the Holy
See the uncertainty Of the amount OF
| Peters pence and the enormous expenses
| OF the Vatican Council during which the
! Fope had To provide board and travelling