Vatican reveals property holdings for first time in transparency drive

FILE PHOTO: People watch as Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from a window at Saint Peter's Square, Vatican, October 25, 2020. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File Photo

(Reuters) - The Vatican released information on its real estate holdings for the first time on Saturday, revealing it owns more than 5,000 properties as part of its most detailed financial disclosures ever.

The information was contained in two documents, a consolidated financial statement for 2020 for the Holy See and the first-ever public budget for the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See (APSA).