General Question

RedDeerGuy1's avatar

Can you fact check Googles info on the Pope's finances?

Asked by RedDeerGuy1 (25216points) 3 days ago

Google says that he refused the $32,000 monthly salary, and is worth $16,000,000.

Can you confirm for us?
I was taught that the Pope only gets paid after he dies, (300 gold coins).

Where did the $16 million come from? If true?

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8 Answers

Strauss's avatar

The Pope is a Jesuit. Priests and other members of that order take a vow of poverty which means he does not own personal possessions or have personal funds. The Vatican, through its communal funds, covers all of the Pope’s expenses, including food, travel, housing, and other necessities.

Lightlyseared's avatar

Looking at the source they are basing it on the assumption that the pope own the assets that he has access to due to his position.

elbanditoroso's avatar

The Catholic Church itself is filthy rich. It owns huge amounts of real estate and countless buildings. Of course, none of those have an honest market value, because there is no way to value church land and structures – there is no real competitive market on which to base estimates.

Then there are rumors of vast collections of diamonds and other jewels, as well as vast stores of gold and other minerals, that were taken from all over Europe by popes in the middle ages and after.

And then there are the truly priceless documents that reside in the Vatican Library in Rome, and the various art works (painting and sculpture) that the Vatican owns in and around ROme.

But that’s all the Church. The pope, as @Strauss said, swore himself to a vow of poverty, and he doesn’t (or shouldn’t) have any personal wealth.

jca2's avatar

Even though he doesn’t own any of it, it’s definitely nice work if you can get it. He is eating the best food, getting the best medical care (unless and until they decide he’s passe and they take him out, under the guise of dying from an illness), he lives in a great place and he has aides attend to his every whim, including helping him dress.

flutherother's avatar

It’s not work I would fancy, living in a golden cage but the Vatican Museum I do recommend. It is open to the public and is full of wonders.

elbanditoroso's avatar

Keep in mind that being pope is not without risk. Think of the assassination attempt back in 1981 of John Paul II. For that matter, the death of JP I – after 33 days – was pretty damned suspicious. “read this”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_I_conspiracy_theories

AND if you go further back in history, killing popes happened with some regularity in the beginning 10th century read the list of dead popes

So it’s not the safest job.

Pandora's avatar

The life of a Pope is as exciting as watching paint dry. I’ve been to the Vatican. It’s a beautiful church, and I guess if you are really into art, it’s an ideal place to live. I could see spending a year there to really take my time and look at everything. After the year, though, I would be bored out of my mind, but he has to work well beyond retirement age.

But no, he doesn’t own anything. Everything is just provided. Also a lot of those works of arts where actually gifted by monarchs. Some paid for by the church by artist and sculptures of the time. But they don’t keep any of it. They usually die on the job.
Btw, the church also does investments, just like any business. Doesn’t fully rely on donations and it gets money also from visitors and the shops they have in the Vatican. The whole Vatican is its own little city. With its own police.

SnipSnip's avatar

I could try, sure. If only I was interested enough to do so.

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