Pope Francis has ordered the abolition of free or economic rentals of homes owned by the Holy See, cardinals, bishops and other senior Vatican leaders, several media outlets reported this Wednesday.
The Pope’s decision was taken after an audience with the new prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for Economics, Maximino Caballero, a Spaniard, on February 21.
On this occasion, Francis asked “that more resources be allocated and reserved for the Apostolic See, as well as an increase in income from property management,” according to a document published by the portal. messinlatina.it.
Thus, the Pope decided to “prohibit the free and advantageous accommodation of cardinals, heads of departments, presidents, secretaries, deputy secretaries, leaders, auditors and others in the Tribunal of Rome Rota, in buildings belonging to curial institutions, and in institutions belonging to the Holy See”, emphasizes the document.
“Authorities owning (real estate) should apply to the aforementioned entities the same prices as those who do not own real estate in the Holy See or in the Vatican City State,” the document says.
It also points to the need to pay, according to existing rates, the stay at the “Domus Santa Marta”, a residence inside the Vatican, where the Pope and many prelates live, and visitors sometimes use it as a hotel for free.
The document states that the currently concluded contracts will be valid until their expiration, after which the new rental rates will be applied.
Similarly, the Pope has decreed that any amendment to this regulation must be authorized directly by him.
Also in the document, the Pope abolishes “housing contributions”, supplements that are paid according to income.
The real estate assets of the Holy See, managed by APSA in Italy, consist of 4,051 properties in the country and about 1,120 properties abroad, not counting its embassies.
In Italy, the Vatican owns approximately 1.6 million square meters and only 15 percent is for the free market, 30 percent of which is for subsidized rent for employees, retirees and other forms of assistance, and the remaining 55 percent for an institution or free loan. basis, for example, for schools or universities.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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