In the book published today by Elise Ann Allen, Pope Leo XIV directly addressed doubts about the Vatican’s economic situation, insisting that it is not as negative as it has sometimes been portrayed.
The question posed was clear: «Regarding the financial situation of the Holy See, you previously mentioned that it is not as bad as it has sometimes been made to seem. Can you explain why this is so? What is the financial situation of the Holy See and how do you plan to manage it?»
A more positive balance than expected
The Pope responded that, although he still does not have a defined plan for handling the set of economic issues, he does have some clear ideas. He recalled that the Holy See is composed of various financial units, several of which are operating satisfactorily.
In particular, he highlighted the role of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), which in its 2024 report recorded a positive result exceeding sixty million euros. “Why do we lament a crisis?”, he asked, emphasizing that APSA is one of the main financial supports for Vatican work.
Challenges in pensions and sustainability
The Pontiff also pointed out the need to seriously analyze the pension fund, a problem that, as he recalled, is not exclusive to the Vatican but universal: “I know of no country in the world that does not lament that its pension fund is going to go bankrupt in thirty or twenty years.”
In his view, this challenge must be examined and addressed with planning, avoiding giving the impression of an immediate crisis that paralyzes action.
Recovery after the pandemic
Leo XIV acknowledged that the pandemic hit Vatican finances hard, as one of its most relevant sources of income comes from the Vatican Museums. However, he emphasized that the situation has changed in recent years thanks to the return of tourism: “There are more tourists in Rome this year,” he stated, indicating that this rebound has allowed some of the problems that caused greater concern in the past to be resolved.
A message of confidence
The Pope’s conclusion was clear: although there are structural challenges, the Holy See is not going through a terminal crisis. The combination of positive results in some units, the reactivation of tourism, and a responsible approach to pensions allow the future to be faced with confidence and without alarmism.