Posted on 12/16/2024 9:08:43 PM PST by ebb tide
The Vatican, the spiritual and administrative heart of the Catholic Church, faces an unprecedented financial crisis, with reports suggesting it is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.
A combination of plummeting revenues, disillusioned donors, and mismanagement under Pope Francis has left the institution struggling to meet its pension obligations, Daily Express reported.
In 2023, the Vatican reported an operating deficit of $87 million, an increase of $5.3 million from the previous year. The shortfall stems largely from a dramatic decline in global donations from the Catholic faithful and the broader public.
Donations, historically a cornerstone of the Vatican’s revenue, have dwindled as many Catholics express discontent with Pope Francis’ progressive reforms.
The pontiff’s controversial stance on issues like climate change, immigration, transgender agenda, and the redefinition of family values has alienated many devout Catholics.
Donations from churches and individual believers have dwindled as traditionalists express frustration with the Vatican’s drift toward secular progressivism.
Further compounding the crisis, tourism—a critical income stream—has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. Visitor numbers to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica remain low.
The financial strain has placed the Vatican’s pension fund in peril. Currently, the fund sits at a staggering €631 million ($663 million) in the red, jeopardizing the livelihoods of retired clergy and staff.
Pope Francis himself admitted the gravity of the situation, stating, “The current system is unable to guarantee in the medium term compliance with pension obligations for future generations. We face serious and complex problems that risk worsening if not addressed in time.”
The Vatican is now pinning its hopes on the Great Jubilee of 2025, a celebration marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, according to Daily Express.
The event, expected to attract over 35 million pilgrims, is being hailed as a potential financial savior.
Pilgrims, lured by the promise of indulgences and spiritual renewal, are anticipated to inject much-needed revenue into the Vatican’s coffers.
Donations, historically a cornerstone of the Vatican’s revenue, have dwindled as many Catholics express discontent with Pope Francis’ progressive reforms.
The pontiff’s controversial stance on issues like climate change, immigration, transgender agenda, and the redefinition of family values has alienated many devout Catholics.
Ping
The Joe Biden of popes.
Not due to a decline of offerings, but explicit and in your face corruption and child abuse.
Or someone switched the smoke pellets. 😊👍
Might have to sell the Pieta and a couple of paintings.
>> Two-thirds of the cardinals voted for this guy, which tells you the state of the church.<<
They voted for a guy who was famous for opposing the “social gospel!” The political views of Pope Francis took a 180-degree turn upon elevation to the papacy! My guess is that Francis is a sociopathic suck-up, and he went from sucking up to the anti-communists in Argentina to sucking up to the Lite Fascist-Communists in the global elite.
When you go woke you’ll be broke applies to the church too.
“Might have to sell the Pieta and a couple of paintings.”
It’s certainly an idea that always bubble up when the Holy See is having money troubles. How do you put a $ value on Michelangelo’s Pieta, though? If sculptures from Giacometti and Picasso can sell for $100 million, what’s the Pieta worth? $100 billion? $1 trillion? Maybe a handful of Saudis and tech multibillionaires at the $100 billion level but no takers at the $1 trillion level.
On the other hand, could they, say, peel off a few Botticellis to raise a few billion? There’d be a backlash, but it may eventually come to that.
The left infiltrates, corrupts and destroys institutions. Don’t let them in.
People need to STOP calling this obvious evil, “Pope”. Pope Benedict did not offer a valid resignation; Pope is not a “shared” position and as such, this evil was not validly elected. He was placed, much like so many of the world “leaders” now. Absolute Evil is currently squatting in the seat, defiling all that it touches. I’ll say it again, STOP calling this evil, “Pope”. The “But… but… but he’ IS the Pope” mentality only allows the evil to continue in the face of common sense. The answer is NO.
Maybe sell advertising for it?
A small unobtrusive sign at the base...”The Coca Cola Pieta”...Maybe a banner at the Baldicino...
OR
Stop doing stupid woke stuff and be Catholic again...
When you minister only to the physical needs of the poor and neglect the spiritual needs of your whole communion, the collection plates gather the dust and pennies of the poor.
Someone said it earlier: “You reap what you sow.”
The Vatican owns so many works of art that are not even on display in any church or the Vatican Museum. Selling some of these seems to be a reasonable path to take.
I thought that I remembered he had been an anti-communist in Argentina. What a change.
Poor church has been infiltrated by communists and modernists. Now it’s the ‘ape of the true church,’ and I wouldn’t give a thin dime. Support traditional orders and chuckle and politely pass the basket when it’s for Peter’s Pence or the awful Catholic Charities. The fake church can hoist in its petard!
If he were truly the Vicar of Christ, there would be more money that Elon Musk’s flowing in like a tsunami................
Exactly what I was thinking. The Vatican has billions or more of art, books, sculptures… in its archives. They could pawn a few items and get back in black.
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