Despite signs of an economic
recovery, the Vatican's budget projections are still negatively affected
by shaky global financial markets and rising operating costs.
The Vatican expressed its gratitude for the donations that help fund its
work and called on donors and the faithful to continue their support.
A council of cardinals charged with reviewing Vatican finances met Feb.
15-16 to go over the projected budgets of 2011.
The cardinals are given
two separate budget reports: the budget of the Holy See, including the
Roman Curia, Vatican diplomatic missions around the world, Vatican media
outlets and Vatican investments; and the budget of Vatican City State,
including the post office and Vatican Museums.
The Vatican statement, released Feb. 17, gave no figures for projected
income and expenses, but it offered a general description of the budget
plans.
Even though there are "clear signs of recovery," the overall budget
forecast "is still feeling the uncertainties of the global economic
system, but also rising operational costs," especially for the Holy
See's budget, it said.
An "irreplaceable source of funding" for the Holy See is what the faithful offer, it said.
"The members of the council expressed their deep gratitude for the
support they give, often anonymously, to the universal ministry of the
Holy Father, urging them to persevere in these good works," the
statement said.
The Vatican has two special sources of income to which Catholics
contribute: the Peter's Pence collection, which is used by the pope for
charity and emergency assistance; and the contributions that dioceses
around the world make to support the work of the Vatican.