Pope says Catholic Church needs 'a heart of poverty, not a heart of a businessman'
Truth of the Gospel should be announced with 'simplicity and gratuitousness'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pope Francis said today that the Catholic Church, which rakes in hundreds of millions of euros each year, should follow the example of St Peter and not seek to accumulate wealth.
The Argentine pontiff said today during Mass at Saint Martha's House, the Vatican residence where he lives, that the truth of the Gospel should be announced with "simplicity and gratuitousness".
"The works of the Church must go forward… but with a heart of poverty, not a heart of investment or of a businessman.
"Saint Peter did not have a bank account and when he had to pay taxes, the Lord sent him to sea to fish a fish with a coin inside in order to pay."
Francis has issued a some cost-cutting reforms within the Vatican that include cutting the €25,000 allowance normally paid to members of the oversight commission of cardinals of the controversial Vatican Bank, the IOR.
The IOR has frequently been investigated in connection with money laundering scams.
Looking at income in Italy alone the Vatican rakes in around £800m a year from taxpayers' donations. It also has considerable stockmarket investments and owns thousands of properties, some of which operate as profit-generating enterprises -- and most of which enjoy tax breaks.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments