Vatican City is accepting card payments again after money laundering concerns caused a six-week ban.
In the immediate aftermath of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, the many visitors who flock to the city-state for its popular attractions are able to use cards for purchases and ATM withdrawals.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Access deeper industry intelligence
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
On January 1 the Bank of Italy suspended card payments after a failure to implement anti-money laundering law.
Deutsche Bank Italia – in charge of card payments in the Vatican – was ordered to deactivate terminals, and as a result EU banks are not authorised to operate within the Vatican.
According to Reuters, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi confirmed that Aduno, the Swiss card payment specialist based outside the EU, has now taken over processing.
Last summer the Vatican’s bank IOR, the Institute for Religious Works, received failing grades in a European financial transparency test, whilst passing the test overall.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe Holy See’s museums and popular souvenir shops are a big money-maker, with the Vatican museum visited by around five million tourists last year, paying over 90 million.
Related articles:
Vatican bedevilled by AML issues
