VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis yesterday revolutionised the Vatican’s scandal-plagued finances, inviting outside experts into a world often seen as murky and secretive and saying the church must use its wealth to help the poor.
Francis, elected nearly a year ago with a mandate for reform, used a document known as a Motu Proprio — Latin for “by his own initiative” — to implement immediate changes including appointing an auditor-general.
The document says the Church must see its possessions and financial assets in the “light of its mission to evangelise, with particular concern for the most needy”. A new Secretariat for the Economy will report directly to the Pope and will be headed by Australian Cardinal George Pell, 72, currently the Archbishop of Sydney and a key proponent of financial transparency in a committee that advised the Pope. A Church source said Pell would move to Rome. REUTERS
