Jessica Mendoza

That's Drew again.

That's Drew again.

That's Drew again.

The Vatican might call to mind priceless treasures, gold chalices, the Sistine Chapel, vast cathedrals. But if you look at the religious institution through a fiscal lens, it's actually asset rich and cash poor.

The Vatican might call to mind priceless treasures, gold chalices, the Sistine Chapel, vast cathedrals. But if you look at the religious institution through a fiscal lens, it's actually asset rich and cash poor.

The Vatican might call to mind priceless treasures, gold chalices, the Sistine Chapel, vast cathedrals. But if you look at the religious institution through a fiscal lens, it's actually asset rich and cash poor.

Unlike other countries, the Vatican collects no taxes. The microstate is increasingly relying on revenue from museum ticket sales and tourism. And that money has to pay for a lot of stuff.

Unlike other countries, the Vatican collects no taxes. The microstate is increasingly relying on revenue from museum ticket sales and tourism. And that money has to pay for a lot of stuff.

Unlike other countries, the Vatican collects no taxes. The microstate is increasingly relying on revenue from museum ticket sales and tourism. And that money has to pay for a lot of stuff.

So how bad is the Vatican's financial situation right now?

So how bad is the Vatican's financial situation right now?

So how bad is the Vatican's financial situation right now?

As for the Vatican's budget deficit?

As for the Vatican's budget deficit?

As for the Vatican's budget deficit?

I want to understand how far back this problem goes. Was there a time when money wasn't a problem for the church?

I want to understand how far back this problem goes. Was there a time when money wasn't a problem for the church?

I want to understand how far back this problem goes. Was there a time when money wasn't a problem for the church?

For centuries, these indulgences, basically money to reduce punishment in the afterlife, kept cash flowing until the practice ended in the 16th century. The church also made money by taxing the rich Italian farmland it controlled, territory known as the Papal States.

For centuries, these indulgences, basically money to reduce punishment in the afterlife, kept cash flowing until the practice ended in the 16th century. The church also made money by taxing the rich Italian farmland it controlled, territory known as the Papal States.