Jessica Mendoza

That day in February, Francis reviewed documents underneath a cherished painting depicting Mary, undoer of knots. In it, the Virgin Mary is shown unraveling a long ribbon. Three days later, Francis was hospitalized with double pneumonia.

That day in February, Francis reviewed documents underneath a cherished painting depicting Mary, undoer of knots. In it, the Virgin Mary is shown unraveling a long ribbon. Three days later, Francis was hospitalized with double pneumonia.

Today, as the College of Cardinals gathers to elect a new leader, a major question looms over the conclave. What will the next pope do about the Vatican's financial crisis?

Today, as the College of Cardinals gathers to elect a new leader, a major question looms over the conclave. What will the next pope do about the Vatican's financial crisis?

Today, as the College of Cardinals gathers to elect a new leader, a major question looms over the conclave. What will the next pope do about the Vatican's financial crisis?

How would you describe the financial mess that this next pope will inherit? I would say unheavenly. Welcome to The Journal, our show about money, business, and power. I'm Jessica Mendoza. It's Wednesday, May 7th. Coming up on the show, do the Vatican's finances need divine intervention? For all its global influence, the Vatican is tiny. It's the world's smallest country.

How would you describe the financial mess that this next pope will inherit? I would say unheavenly. Welcome to The Journal, our show about money, business, and power. I'm Jessica Mendoza. It's Wednesday, May 7th. Coming up on the show, do the Vatican's finances need divine intervention? For all its global influence, the Vatican is tiny. It's the world's smallest country.

How would you describe the financial mess that this next pope will inherit? I would say unheavenly. Welcome to The Journal, our show about money, business, and power. I'm Jessica Mendoza. It's Wednesday, May 7th. Coming up on the show, do the Vatican's finances need divine intervention? For all its global influence, the Vatican is tiny. It's the world's smallest country.

It sits in the center of Rome, occupying an area about one-tenth the size of Central Park.

It sits in the center of Rome, occupying an area about one-tenth the size of Central Park.

It sits in the center of Rome, occupying an area about one-tenth the size of Central Park.

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.