This actually is such a shockingly appalling lack of Christian charity for the people who physically live in this area. The housing crisis of Europe makes America’s housing issues look like abundance and for this to be casually dismissed as both a financial generator for the Vatican but *also* a way to give decent non overpriced housing to people…. Wow. St Joseph pray for us 😞
Twelve or so years ago, the Cardinals had a choice for a new pope who would solve this grave financial crisis. They could have gone the way of Germany, promoting a liberal synodal way in the hope that German dioceses would have sent more of their Church tax revenue to Rome. They didn't choose this path.
Or they could have chosen to focus on orthodoxy, traditional worship, and growth by going the way of the US. The faithful with deep pockets could have brought the Vatican out of this. They didn't choose this path.
Instead, they chose an Argentinian. Someone who doesn't follow either path, but blows in the wind. He keeps the orthodox faithful on pins and needles, exhausting their energy in fear of what comes next. He gives hope to liberals and leftists (maybe I'll ordain deaconesses) then he takes that hope away (NO!).
One thing Argentina is not known for is fiscal or monetary responsibility. Popes govern the way they experienced governance in their home countries. Pope Francis governs the Vatican like an Argentinian. That shouldn't shock anyone.
We reap what we sow. Right now, the Vatican is reaping what they have sown. An Argentinian is going to govern like an Argentinian.
Or the most likely candidate would have been Cardinal Scola from Milan. Who would have been in the New Evangelization camp and having spent most of his life in Milan would have had access to the best financial minds in Italy (Milan is a finance hub). So we probably would have had more of the JPII and Benedict emphasis on truth, beauty, and goodness. Continued to see vocations to the priesthood encouraged and flourish. Plus would have taken Benedict’s report on the Vatican finances and corruption seriously. Maybe not as efficient as an American but would at least be moving the ball forward.
Scola was the one most expected to come out of the conclave as pope. As they say. the one who goes in to the Conclave as pope comes out a cardinal.
I obviously overstated the solution. There is no way the Germans or the faithful in the US could overcome such an enormous deficit, but they could have made it less terrible than it is.
Fair point. I think that was my point with Scola as well. We are on the same page.
I fear the next pope is going to have to be the bad guy. Since Francis has continued to kick the can down the road, the next pontiff is going to have to make drastic measures that will probably make him very unpopular. Yikes, yuck, and just whY?
As serious question not a statement. Is there point at which the financial woes of the Vatican coupled with Francis’ frail state would lead him to consider resigning?
I would say that it is not on the table in his mind nor do I know if there is anyone among the college of cardinals that would be capable of correcting the situation. But all the financial stuff is really sad.
Francis has never been one to "disappear" into the office. His centralization of power and frequent displays of ostentatious humility lead me to guess that center stage is where he plans to be when he goes to meet the Lord.
“ With people much more competent than Elon Musk and his merry band of gamers.”
I guess you missed the Brett Baier interview with DOGE team where you could have heard from the people actually running the show rather than the caricatures depicted in the media. Even the CPA firms Cardinal Pell employed had auditors doing the bulk of the work.
Yeah whatever you think about Elon Musk "incompetent" is just something that can't be said seriously of the guy who started Paypal, SpaceX, Starlink, and Tesla. He's a strange guy, but is also a genius.
Is there a reason that the finances, etc., have to be run by cardinals? They pretty much do not have the appropriate expertise for any of this.
And they obviously do not have the wisdom for the oversight for these secular issues. They are vastly outnumbered by the laity, many who have the requisite expertise, and many who might even provide it on a volunteer basis. This is absurd.
I have wondered the same thing. I think most priests appreciate good business managers and bishops appreciate good CFO’s) All (maybe just the vast majority) are laity.
While I agree about absurdity and the general dismay of this whole ((waves arms wildly)) I actually don’t think it fair to say that no cardinals priests or bishops have expertise in finances, not to mention wisdom for overseeing it.
Administration is a charism not to mention that in a previous life to a vocation, these men could have held jobs of many types that would give the right skill set for either finances or the overseeing or both.
I’m open to the canonically approved discussion of laity being involved where allowed etc but I think the larger issue here isn’t that laity CPAs and CFwhatevers aren’t running it but that the clergy chosen were NOT ones wjth the above stated gifts, charisms or backgrounds. How did these guys get THESE jobs. I suspect the answer is nearly as scandalous as the results.
Consigliere Cupich, when he’s not over the Atlantic, or at the Vatican, is here publicly promoting gun control, climate catastrophizing and—and the Pope’s entire left-wing agenda. For no apparent reason he decided to bag on kneeling communicants in the middle of Advent.
The paragraph about 1000 acre solar panels flavors the tone of my comments.
It's a shame. Someone like Cdl DiNardo would be an exceptional candidate for the Chair and could help clean this up. They would never elect him. Scriptural scholar, teacher, and what he did for the USCCB in the wake of he-who-cannot-be-named was exceptional. He cleaned up two dioceses, and every bishop he has backed has been an excellent manager. All with a humble tongue-in-cheek attitude.
We're all speechless. . .
1000 acres of well located land that could have been developed or sold was used for. . .solar panels. . .in 2024. That pretty much says it all.
This actually is such a shockingly appalling lack of Christian charity for the people who physically live in this area. The housing crisis of Europe makes America’s housing issues look like abundance and for this to be casually dismissed as both a financial generator for the Vatican but *also* a way to give decent non overpriced housing to people…. Wow. St Joseph pray for us 😞
The current papacy in a nutshell, isn’t it?
Twelve or so years ago, the Cardinals had a choice for a new pope who would solve this grave financial crisis. They could have gone the way of Germany, promoting a liberal synodal way in the hope that German dioceses would have sent more of their Church tax revenue to Rome. They didn't choose this path.
Or they could have chosen to focus on orthodoxy, traditional worship, and growth by going the way of the US. The faithful with deep pockets could have brought the Vatican out of this. They didn't choose this path.
Instead, they chose an Argentinian. Someone who doesn't follow either path, but blows in the wind. He keeps the orthodox faithful on pins and needles, exhausting their energy in fear of what comes next. He gives hope to liberals and leftists (maybe I'll ordain deaconesses) then he takes that hope away (NO!).
One thing Argentina is not known for is fiscal or monetary responsibility. Popes govern the way they experienced governance in their home countries. Pope Francis governs the Vatican like an Argentinian. That shouldn't shock anyone.
We reap what we sow. Right now, the Vatican is reaping what they have sown. An Argentinian is going to govern like an Argentinian.
Or the most likely candidate would have been Cardinal Scola from Milan. Who would have been in the New Evangelization camp and having spent most of his life in Milan would have had access to the best financial minds in Italy (Milan is a finance hub). So we probably would have had more of the JPII and Benedict emphasis on truth, beauty, and goodness. Continued to see vocations to the priesthood encouraged and flourish. Plus would have taken Benedict’s report on the Vatican finances and corruption seriously. Maybe not as efficient as an American but would at least be moving the ball forward.
Scola was the one most expected to come out of the conclave as pope. As they say. the one who goes in to the Conclave as pope comes out a cardinal.
I obviously overstated the solution. There is no way the Germans or the faithful in the US could overcome such an enormous deficit, but they could have made it less terrible than it is.
Fair point. I think that was my point with Scola as well. We are on the same page.
I fear the next pope is going to have to be the bad guy. Since Francis has continued to kick the can down the road, the next pontiff is going to have to make drastic measures that will probably make him very unpopular. Yikes, yuck, and just whY?
Dicastery of Vatican Efficiency, anyone?
Because Dicastery of Papal Efficiency might be too edgy.
Dicastery of Good Economics - DOGE for the Holy See.
D.O.V.E
I hate it but that would be the best possible acronym wouldn't it
DOVE, from the Italian for "where," as in "Where is all the money?"
DOVE - symbolic. Nicely played!
As serious question not a statement. Is there point at which the financial woes of the Vatican coupled with Francis’ frail state would lead him to consider resigning?
I would say that it is not on the table in his mind nor do I know if there is anyone among the college of cardinals that would be capable of correcting the situation. But all the financial stuff is really sad.
Francis has never been one to "disappear" into the office. His centralization of power and frequent displays of ostentatious humility lead me to guess that center stage is where he plans to be when he goes to meet the Lord.
‘Frequent displays of ostentatious humility” 💡!
What's a pension...
I'm not sure if I should like this post. I want to hate it, and then cry a little haha.
Have they considered tariffs?
Kind of?
https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2025/04/05/the-jubilee-call-to-conversion-or-cash-cow/
“ With people much more competent than Elon Musk and his merry band of gamers.”
I guess you missed the Brett Baier interview with DOGE team where you could have heard from the people actually running the show rather than the caricatures depicted in the media. Even the CPA firms Cardinal Pell employed had auditors doing the bulk of the work.
Yeah whatever you think about Elon Musk "incompetent" is just something that can't be said seriously of the guy who started Paypal, SpaceX, Starlink, and Tesla. He's a strange guy, but is also a genius.
Right? So incompetent he’s going to be Emperor of Mars within our lifetimes.
Talk about clericalism.
Is there a reason that the finances, etc., have to be run by cardinals? They pretty much do not have the appropriate expertise for any of this.
And they obviously do not have the wisdom for the oversight for these secular issues. They are vastly outnumbered by the laity, many who have the requisite expertise, and many who might even provide it on a volunteer basis. This is absurd.
I have wondered the same thing. I think most priests appreciate good business managers and bishops appreciate good CFO’s) All (maybe just the vast majority) are laity.
While I agree about absurdity and the general dismay of this whole ((waves arms wildly)) I actually don’t think it fair to say that no cardinals priests or bishops have expertise in finances, not to mention wisdom for overseeing it.
Administration is a charism not to mention that in a previous life to a vocation, these men could have held jobs of many types that would give the right skill set for either finances or the overseeing or both.
I’m open to the canonically approved discussion of laity being involved where allowed etc but I think the larger issue here isn’t that laity CPAs and CFwhatevers aren’t running it but that the clergy chosen were NOT ones wjth the above stated gifts, charisms or backgrounds. How did these guys get THESE jobs. I suspect the answer is nearly as scandalous as the results.
Consigliere Cupich, when he’s not over the Atlantic, or at the Vatican, is here publicly promoting gun control, climate catastrophizing and—and the Pope’s entire left-wing agenda. For no apparent reason he decided to bag on kneeling communicants in the middle of Advent.
The paragraph about 1000 acre solar panels flavors the tone of my comments.
It always comes as a shock to a European to learn that in the US the idea of gun control is seen as left-wing
It's a shame. Someone like Cdl DiNardo would be an exceptional candidate for the Chair and could help clean this up. They would never elect him. Scriptural scholar, teacher, and what he did for the USCCB in the wake of he-who-cannot-be-named was exceptional. He cleaned up two dioceses, and every bishop he has backed has been an excellent manager. All with a humble tongue-in-cheek attitude.
I thought taking away apartment allowances for scary trad clerics was supposed to solve all this.
Colour me shocked.