Vatican in the black for the first time since 2000

Alina Trabattoni

The Holy See posted a surplus of E3.08 million last year, compared with a deficit of E9.6m in 2003, the Vatican’s financial statement shows. Total revenue rose to E205.7m and spending fell 5% to E202.6m.

“After three years of negative results, the year 2004 closed in the black,’ said Cardinal Sergio Sebastiani, head of financial affairs for the Holy See.