Vatican published its annual balance sheet for the first time

The Vatican Goods Administration (Apsa) published its annual balance sheet for the first time a few days before the start of a property process. The documents show, among other things, that the Apsa own 4051 properties in Italy. There are also 1120 properties in London, Paris, Geneva and Lausanne. According to its own information, the profit of the goods management in 2020 was just under 51 million euros. The value of all financial assets is 1.8 billion euros. In view of the publication, Juan Antonio Guerrero, Prefect of the Economic Secretariat of the Holy See, announced that the Papal State was making unprecedented efforts to bring transparency to its finances. "We come from a culture of secrecy, but we have learned that transparency can protect us better in economic matters," he said. On Tuesday, a lawsuit begins in front of the Vatican Court over the purchase of a luxury property in the London borough of Chelsea, which took place in 2018 and 2019. Ten suspects, including the influential Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, are charged with embezzlement, abuse of power and influencing witnesses. They are said to have made money from the business in their own pockets. Becciu is also said to have diverted money from charity funds for relatives. The cardinal protests his innocence. As a consequence of the scandal, Pope Francis withdrew its financial sovereignty from the State Secretariat of the Vatican last November. The Vatican Goods Administration Apsa is now responsible for the administration of the central authority's assets and real estate. In her report she announces that she is preparing to sell the property. According to Prefect Guerrero, "legal action has been taken against those who, in our opinion, have harmed the interests of the Holy See".