In former times the Catholic Press published lists giving the amounts of different offerings, and in this way one could frame an approximate estimate.

But the practice must have been considered unadvisable, for no documents nowadays appear, and it is absolutely impossible for people to form any real idea of what the Pope receives.

He alone knows the correct amount, keeps the money, and disposes of it with absolute authority.
Still I believe that in good years the offerings have amounted to between four and five millions.

Originally France contributed one-half of the sum; but nowadays it certainly gives much less.

Then come Belgium and Austria, England and Germany.