VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican released details of its financial report Friday, saying increased contributions from dioceses and individuals — primarily from the United States — helped keep it in the black despite rising labor costs and a falling dollar.
"The trend is positive and encouraging," said Cardinal Sergio Sebastiani, who heads the Vatican's office of economic affairs. He said the United States has steadily remained the largest source of contributions — even at the height of the clergy sex-abuse scandal a few years ago. Germany and Italy were next in line.
Earlier in the week, the Vatican reported a narrow budget surplus of $3.2 million in 2006, down more than $9.5 million from its strong financial showing the previous year....