Shumita Basu

Drew Henshaw with The Wall Street Journal spoke to us from Rome.

Drew Henshaw with The Wall Street Journal spoke to us from Rome.

Drew Henshaw with The Wall Street Journal spoke to us from Rome.

To understand the Vatican's finances, Hinshaw and other journal reporters met with officials from the Vatican's bank, pension fund, and regulatory institutions. They also spoke to cardinals attending this week's conclave. A Vatican spokesman didn't respond to a request for comment.

To understand the Vatican's finances, Hinshaw and other journal reporters met with officials from the Vatican's bank, pension fund, and regulatory institutions. They also spoke to cardinals attending this week's conclave. A Vatican spokesman didn't respond to a request for comment.

To understand the Vatican's finances, Hinshaw and other journal reporters met with officials from the Vatican's bank, pension fund, and regulatory institutions. They also spoke to cardinals attending this week's conclave. A Vatican spokesman didn't respond to a request for comment.

Several interviews had to be held in secret, with their sources citing an atmosphere of suspicion and blame over the Vatican's deteriorating financial situation. The journal learned members of the clergy resisted the rules Francis tried to impose, things like obtaining multiple sign-offs for expenses.

Several interviews had to be held in secret, with their sources citing an atmosphere of suspicion and blame over the Vatican's deteriorating financial situation. The journal learned members of the clergy resisted the rules Francis tried to impose, things like obtaining multiple sign-offs for expenses.

Several interviews had to be held in secret, with their sources citing an atmosphere of suspicion and blame over the Vatican's deteriorating financial situation. The journal learned members of the clergy resisted the rules Francis tried to impose, things like obtaining multiple sign-offs for expenses.

Some tried to hide funds, citing security concerns for missionaries in countries where proselytizing is a crime. Hinshaw says trying to balance a budget for a papal state that's existed for more than a millennium was not a priority for many of them.

Some tried to hide funds, citing security concerns for missionaries in countries where proselytizing is a crime. Hinshaw says trying to balance a budget for a papal state that's existed for more than a millennium was not a priority for many of them.

Some tried to hide funds, citing security concerns for missionaries in countries where proselytizing is a crime. Hinshaw says trying to balance a budget for a papal state that's existed for more than a millennium was not a priority for many of them.

The struggle between Francis and the Vatican's bureaucracy continued to escalate. Ultimately, he decided to shift his focus to other priorities. But he kept trying to find solutions. up until pneumonia put him in the hospital for weeks this February. Three days before he was hospitalized, Francis signed a papal directive to boost donations from the Catholic faithful, hoping that that would help.

The struggle between Francis and the Vatican's bureaucracy continued to escalate. Ultimately, he decided to shift his focus to other priorities. But he kept trying to find solutions. up until pneumonia put him in the hospital for weeks this February. Three days before he was hospitalized, Francis signed a papal directive to boost donations from the Catholic faithful, hoping that that would help.

The struggle between Francis and the Vatican's bureaucracy continued to escalate. Ultimately, he decided to shift his focus to other priorities. But he kept trying to find solutions. up until pneumonia put him in the hospital for weeks this February. Three days before he was hospitalized, Francis signed a papal directive to boost donations from the Catholic faithful, hoping that that would help.

Who will inherit the financial puzzle is still in question. Black smoke rose above the Vatican yesterday, signaling a new pope had not yet been chosen. Now to Utah, where the first domestic ban on fluoride in public drinking water went into effect yesterday. Florida will soon follow.

Who will inherit the financial puzzle is still in question. Black smoke rose above the Vatican yesterday, signaling a new pope had not yet been chosen. Now to Utah, where the first domestic ban on fluoride in public drinking water went into effect yesterday. Florida will soon follow.

Who will inherit the financial puzzle is still in question. Black smoke rose above the Vatican yesterday, signaling a new pope had not yet been chosen. Now to Utah, where the first domestic ban on fluoride in public drinking water went into effect yesterday. Florida will soon follow.

On Tuesday, Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that will prevent local municipalities from adding fluoride to their water starting July 1st.

On Tuesday, Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that will prevent local municipalities from adding fluoride to their water starting July 1st.