Jubilee spending plans will be modest, controlled, Cardinal Pell assures

April 01, 2015

Cardinal George Pell, who heads the Secretariat for the Economy, has said that spending plans for the coming Jubilee Year will be governed by the Vatican’s new regulations on financial accounting.

Speaking on March 31 at a press conference on church financial management, Cardinal Pell said that all budgets for the Jubilee would be reviewed by his office, and all expenses would be audited. “We hope to avoid scandals, certainly in such a moment,” he said.

When Pope Francis announced that a special Year of Mercy would begin on December 8, some Italian political officials reacted nervously, worried that the plans could lead to large expenses for the government. Vatican officials have assured Italian leaders that the Pope intends a much more frugal observance.

In 2000, the Jubilee Year declared by St. John Paul II drew more than 25 million pilgrims to Rome. Both the Vatican and the city of Rome spent enormous sums to renovate and repair facilities in advance of the Jubilee. No such major renovations are expected for the coming Jubilee.

 

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Further information:

• Vatican hopes to avoid financial scandals during Jubilee following massive spending in 2000 (AP)