While the Holy See ended three years of losses, returning a €9.85 million profit, worldwide donations from the faithful, traditionally known as “Peter’s Pence”, were down by almost $15 million (€10.3 million) at $67.7 million.
In a statement, the economic affairs department of the Holy See, headed by Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, suggested the upturn in Vatican finances was largely explained by a slow, steady recovery in the wake of the 2008 global economic crisis.
Eh, they can take another priceless work of art out of petty cash.
Never mind, they have come up with some innovative solutions albeit somewhat at the expense of the eighth commandment.
Actually that would be the seventh commandment according to the Roman Catholics. Anglicans follow the Orthodox numbering it appears.