The Court of Auditors deplores “approximate” management of French churches and religious heritage in Rome

In a severe report published on Monday, September 2, the Court of Auditors criticizes the way in which the administration of the “Pious Establishments” in Rome manages an exceptional French real estate and spiritual heritage.

Placed under the authority of the French Embassy to the Holy See, the “Pious Establishments of France in Rome and Loreto » – often called “the Pious” – are responsible for thirteen rental buildings located in the historic center of the Italian capital, as well as five churches, including the famous Trinità-des-Monts and Saint-Louis des Français, which houses three world-famous paintings by Caravaggio.

Or “The deficiencies are numerous and obvious” in management “approximate” of this heritage “of considerable value”deplores the report which covers the period 2015-2022.

No value estimate

First, because this heritage “is not known precisely” : neither the churches nor even the collections are entered in the accounting balance sheet and “no estimate of the value of these works has been made”. This is the case of the three Caravaggios which could be worth several hundred million euros. These gaps lead to “risks of dispossession which have, for some, already materialized”the report states. And ambiguities: the report cites the example of the famous stairs linking Trinità dei Monti to the Piazza di Spagna, built with French funds, but maintained in recent years either by the Pious or by the city of Rome.

On the property portfolio, the Court highlights a “opaque policy of allocating and fixing rents” of 148 apartments and 31 stores, on average “below the low range” in these sought-after neighborhoods, and with “unjustified advantages granted to many tenants”. Ce “lack of professionalism” amputate the stakes of “nearly 50%” potential income, says the report, which estimates the value of the buildings at 213 million euros (for an income of 4.6 million).

The Court also deplores the management « extracomptable » of certain bank accounts with “many cash payments”sometimes for remuneration, rent, reimbursement of expenses, etc.

Ambiguity

Added to this is “failing cooperation with the Ministry of Culture”. Its fire prevention recommendations were not followed, and it exists in churches “a proven risk to the safety of property and people”according to the Court.

Another problem: “significant drifts” on the works, carried out without publicity of calls for tender, entrusted to a small number of companies, “with the risk of significant overcharging”. “Having been informed of these abuses for a long time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not taken the necessary measures to restore a degraded situation”the report adds.

The Court finally deplores, as the Jubilee approaches, which will see millions of visitors converge on Rome in 2025, “an embryonic cultural action” and a highlighting “insufficient” of Saint-Louis of the French.

She highlights a “long-maintained ambiguity” on the status of the Pious who “has fueled the excesses”even if in his eyes the French ownership of the heritage “was recently confirmed” by several Italian judgments. She also recalls that the Pious “rely on a very small team”without major renewal and without internal controls.

A “transformation imperative” implemented since 2021

Considering that “the responsibility of ambassadors and the State is engaged” and that the latter “must immediately put an end to the errors observed”the Court states that the legal framework “must absolutely evolve” and discusses the creation of a financially independent establishment or a public establishment.

For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this latest proposal “is not viable” particularly with regard to the imperative of secularism. In his response, he argues for continuing “the transformation undertaken within the existing framework”. The report “largely agrees with the embassy’s findings” even if several examples “are based on dated experiences”he adds.

The ministry emphasizes that a “transformation imperative” has been implemented since 2021, responding to several recommendations of the Court (allocation of housing, professionalization of management, etc.) while others are currently being implemented (fire prevention measures in particular). Finally “an inventory professional is expected in July”adds the answer.

The foundation’s heritage has been built up over the ages from donations and bequests from French people. The five maintained churches, which have existed since the 7th century,^e century, welcomed pilgrims exhausted by their travels, a vocation which still exists.