Romans 1:13-15
King James Version
13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren,
that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you,
(but was let hitherto,) that I might have
some fruit among you also,
even as among other Gentiles.
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks,
and to the Barbarians;
both to the wise, and to the unwise.
15 So, as much as in me is,
I am ready to preach the gospel to you
that are at Rome also.
So, the Catholic church has a new pope.
Robert Francis Prevost, is now known as pope Leo XIV.
Just as I embarked on more research, the HOLY SPIRIT led me to something "intriguing".
The Vatican was in financial straits.
Huh, is that possible?
Wasn't it a "state"?
Didn't it have a bank?
Didn't it have all those "treasures"?
Do you believe the Vatican to be "poor"?
Well, that financial "mess" is best described here.
From that refreshing 18-minute podcast, I learned these:
"The Vatican might call to mind priceless treasures, gold chalices, the Sistine Chapel, vast cathedrals. But if you look at the religious institution through a fiscal lens, it's actually asset-rich and cash-poor."
"The pension fund is facing about two billion euros in liabilities."
-- Jessica Mendoza, Co-Host, The Journal Podcast,
The Wall Street Journal
From the podcast, we learned pope Benedict was overwhelmed by Vatican's financial mess.
That's why he resigned on 10 February 2013, and preferred a life "dedicated to prayer".
Then pope Francis takes over.
He hires an auditor, but the latter encounters curious "problems" at work.
Then pope Francis passed on last 21 April 2025.
Now, pope Leo XIV takes over.
Is it any "coincidence" he's an American pope?
It's possible, in Vatican's financial mess, he's what's needed.
Even as he holds dual citizenship, both American and Peruvian.
We learned that Jesuit pope Francis wanted a "missionary" to succeed him.
Augustinian Prevost fits the bill.
Well, Trump is the new American president.
We just wrote about his first 100 days, moments ago.
And now, we learned of the new pope -- an American.
Surprising most everyone.
But if you knew where SPIRIT had been leading me to since yesterday, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.
It all "ties" up today.
President Trump already congratulated the new pope.
And looks forward to meeting with him.
America's really getting back her power.
First, with a MEGA president.
And now, with the FIRST American pope yet.
Thinking along those lines, I stretch it further.
Would president Trump help Vatican's finances?
Perhaps, give a few "suggestions"?
Being commonsensical, another thought occurs to us.
Can't the Vatican sell some of their treasures?
We've even heard of some Nazi gold somewhere.
Tyler Marshall has this interesting report on 23 July 1997, on the "Los Angeles Times":
"U.S. Document Links Vatican, Nazi Gold"
Pius XII was pope during the Second World War.
Controversies followed him, too.
But you gotta admit it.
Vatican has to sell some stuff.
At least, to stabilize their financess, and secure their "pension" fund.
I can imagine art collectors falling all over themselves for an auction, or something.
I can also imagine president Trump expecting the same from the Vatican.
It just makes sense to "liquidate" your "assets", in times of trouble.
As it is, the WSJ podcast pretty much echoes the same thought:
Jessica Mendoza: "It might mean more salary cuts, reducing core missions, hiking museum fees, overhauling the Vatican Bank. But there's one seemingly obvious solution to this whole money problem. So Drew, can you explain to me how can the Vatican be in such a financial mess if it's also sitting on this pretty unimaginable wealth of art and history, right? They've got the manuscripts in the Vatican Library. They've got works of art from da Vinci and Michelangelo. Couldn't they just sell that stuff?"
Drew Hinshaw: "The Vatican has no intention of ever selling off its inheritance. In fact, it lists many of its kind of priceless works of art, including the Sistine Chapel on its books as at a nominal value of one Euro each, which is a way of saying these things are of religious and artistic and historical significance, not of financial significance. It would never, ever part with its... This is its patrimony."
Uh-oh, if you've followed president Trump as I have, you'd know that won't sit well with him, if they were to ask his opinion, or suggestion.
Judging by his DOGE, prioritizing, and cost-cutting programs, he'd go for practical solutions -- and fast!
The "hemorrhage" must stop.
It will be interesting to see how the new American pope will tend to Vatican's financial challenges.
But he is now head of his "state", surely, he'll find solutions.
Will he call on his president's help?
Is the Vatican "high maintenance"?
Will the Catholic church look beyond possessions, and look to JESUS' simplicity?
Luke 9:58
King James Version
58 And Jesus said unto him,
Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests;
but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Will they listen to what apostle Paul said?
1 Timothy 6:7-12
King James Version
7 For we brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment
let us be therewith content.
As born again watchman, I present to you things as they are.
And look to Scripture for answers, and perspective.
As I pray for GOD's will.
Whether it concerns priest, pope, people, or politics.
GOD's will be done.
And, in all honesty, solutions are pretty simple.
You just have to have a born again heart.
Then you'll know what matters most.
SPIRIT will teach you GOD's ways.
Just pure common sense.
It's not even a predicament.
It's just a matter of priorities.
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