Vatican Back in the Black, by Polly Davis Doig, The Newser, July 2, 2011

Vatican Back in the Black

By Polly Davis Doig
The Newser
July 2, 2011

http://www.newser.com/story/122475/vatican-back-in-the-black.html

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during the Angelus prayer he celebrated from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Wednesday, June 29, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI smiles during an audience to the diocese of Altamura, Gravina, and Aquaviva delle Fonti, at the Paolo VI hall in the Vatican on July 2, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives at the Paolo VI hall in the Vatican for an audience to the diocese of Altamura, Gravina, and Aquaviva delle Fonti, on July 2, 2011.

(Newser) – Good news: The Vatican returned to the black last year, after three straight years in the red. The Catholic Church pulled in $14.3 million, it said in its annual financial report today, while the Vatican city state made $30.6 million, fueled largely by ticket sales at the Vatican Museums. The downside is that individual donations plummeted by 18%—almost $14.8 million—probably caused by the priest sex abuse scandal that re-erupted last year, notes the AP.