Pope Francis clashed with cardinals over Vatican finances before hospitalization

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis attends the consistory ceremony to elevate Roman Catholic prelates to the rank of cardinal, in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, September 30, 2023. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File Photo

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Before he was hospitalized for double pneumonia, Pope Francis was battling firm resistance from some of his own cardinals about how to plug a widening gap in the Vatican's finances.

Three days before his hospitalization, Francis ordered the creation of a new high-level commission to encourage donations to the headquarters of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church.