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Holy See Poverty Rate Virtually Non-Existent

Holy See Poverty RateHoly See, also known as Vatican City, is a small nation located in southern Europe and is an enclave of Rome in Italy that is the seat of the Catholic Church. It is not exactly known how much personal wealth the citizens of Vatican City have, but it is known that the Holy See poverty rate is virtually non-existent.

The Holy See is supported by a multitude of sources, including investments, real estate income and donations from Catholic individuals, as well as dioceses and institutions. Even though it is the smallest nation in the world in both size and population, the Holy See’s GDP per capita is an estimated $21,198, which makes Vatican City the 18th wealthiest nation in the world per capita.

The population of this small independent state is very small, which contributes to the Holy See poverty rate being non-existent. In July 2001, the estimated population in Vatican City was 890, and it generally sees a growth rate of about 1.15 percent. Most of the residents of the state are related to the Church in some way, supplemented by elderly officers and servants for the Church. Most of the jobs within the Vatican itself include secretarial, domestic, trade and service jobs. The working week is fairly reasonable, although some keep longer hours, such as the Secretariat of State.

Workers that reside within Vatican City also enjoy numerous religious holidays, and Italians that work in Vatican City are exempt from having to join the military. Defense is provided by Italy, known as the Swiss Guard, who performs ceremonial and limited security duties. The members of the Swiss Guard tend to make a relatively low salary, but they are usually younger men with private incomes.

Fortunately, it would appear that the Holy See poverty rate is unlikely to increase in the near future.

– Sara Venusti

Photo: Flickr

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Vatican Donates Mobile Medical Unit for Rome’s Poor

Mobile Medical Unit
Revolutionary in more ways than one, the Vatican recently donated a mobile medical unit to the people of one of the most ancient cities on the planet. The unit tours Rome’s borders and offers free health care to those in need — including but not limited to immigrants, expectant mothers and children.

Pope Francis is a prominent voice for those in need. Regularly speaking out about people living in poverty, the Pope frequently stresses the importance and impact that the impoverished have on society.

The life-saving vehicle does its best to blend in — with Vatican City license plates and the Holy See’s coat of arms (two keys topped by a papal crown), the mobile medical unit is Roman through and through. Dr. Lucia Ercoli, director of the Instituto di Medicina Solidale, said that using Vatican license plates allows migrants living in inhumane conditions to experience the closeness of the Pope and the church.

Istituto di Medicina Solidale staff, a group of volunteer doctors, health care professionals and medical students, use the RV-styled vehicle to assist people in need. The vehicle serves a diverse group of people, including many refugee children who lost their parents during the dangerous journey from their home country to Italy.

The group has been active since 2004 and partners with other nonprofit groups and the church to create makeshift clinics that offer services to the poor. In the summer of 2015, the association started providing services to a church-run center for immigrants near a city train station. In one day, hundreds of people showed up for check-ups.

In March of 2015, the Vatican opened a “clinic for the poor” located near the colonnade. The clinic offered free medical treatment and services to those unable to afford basic medical care.

Additionally, the Vatican has provided access to showers and barbershops. In October 2015, Pope Francis and his fellow Jesuits converted an old travel agency into a dormitory for the homeless.

The Vatican mobile medical unit provides a more private setting for patients and includes more equipment. As of August 2016, the vehicle has accommodated more than 2,000 people near shanty towns and abandoned buildings while simultaneously paving the way for further developments in healthcare.

– Jacqueline Venuti

Photo: Pixabay