Vatican says its finances are improving
Friday, January 22, 2010
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- The Vatican is seeing signs of improvement for its finances this year, despite problems caused by the global economic crisis.
Top prelates met this week to discuss the financial outlook for 2010. The Vatican said in a statement Friday that "despite the general situation" there are signs of "a slight improvement."
Most of its expenses would come from payroll as well as Vatican Radio and other media divisions. The Vatican did not release 2010 forecasts, and its 2009 financial figures will be published later this year.
The Vatican ran a deficit in 2007 and 2008 as its finances and donations from across the world were hit by the downturn.
The Vatican has published annual figures since 1981, in part to debunk the idea that it is rich.
