An interview with Mr. Enrico Bartelucci, Director of the Directorate of the Economy

Investments and management in line with the Social Doctrine of the Church

Investments in ESG instruments, in line with the ethical principles of the Social Doctrine of the Church, with the absolute exclusion of all instruments aimed at purely speculative ends, and conservative investments aimed at creating value and increasing capital in the medium to long term, are some of the tasks of one of the newest Directories of the Governorate, the Directorate for the Economy. It has two areas of intervention: state accounting, which manages the bookkeeping of the activities of all the Bodies of the State and oversees its patrimony; economic activities, which oversees the Annona (supermarket), the Emporio (emporium), the sales and marketing of philatelic and numismatic products and the Autoparco, the fleet of vehicles. The following is an interview with Mr. Enrico Bartelucci, released on www.vaticanstate.va.

Can you describe the Directorate’s chief responsibilities?

The Directorate for the Economy is relatively new. Established by Law N. CCLXXIV on the Governance of Vatican City State, dated 25 November 2018, it took over the responsibilities that were previously carried out by the Directorates of State Accounting and Economic Services, and some of the activities carried out by the former Directorate of General Services and by the Philatelic and Numismatic Office. In order to carry out the above-mentioned tasks, our Directorate is subdivided into two large areas of activities: State Accounting and Economic Activities.

The State Accounting Department carries out the functions and tasks that have to do with the State’s economic and financial policies. In particular, it manages the bookkeeping of all the Bodies of the State, including drawing up final balance statements, developing strategic plans with the elaboration of a budget, analysing and checking accounts and managing the State’s moveable and immoveable property. It is also responsible for the preservation of the State’s reserves.

The Economic Activities Department, instead, manages some of the Governorate’s commercial activities.

I am referring in particular to the sale of fast moving consumer goods and non-essential goods to holders of valid cards and to the Holy See’s various Bodies and Institutions. Moreover, it is also responsible for the sales and marketing of philatelic and numismatic products, an area which is currently undergoing an important overhaul, and lastly, for the management of the Autoparco, the State’s fleet of vehicles.

How do you implement the perspective of the economy and finance outlined in the Encyclical Letter, Fratelli Tutti?

Pope Francis highlights that the economy and finance should be instruments that unite and be at the service and in support of the weakest. They should be capable of contributing to the development of a social fabric that is attentive to the needs of people and human dignity.

Along with the suppliers with whom we collaborate, we are already directly involved in this, through investments in ESG-compliant instruments that are in line with the ethical principles of Catholic Doctrine, and with the absolute exclusion of any instruments that have purely speculative ends. Investment activities are carried out with a conservative approach, aimed at creating value and capital growth over the medium to long term.

Can you tell us about the organization of the Autoparco, the fleet of vehicles, and its function?

The department of the Directorate that manages the Autoparco, the fleet of vehicles, works in close collaboration with other Bodies, and is responsible for the Holy Father’s transportation during Audiences, institutional and pastoral commitments and Apostolic Journeys.

It is also responsible for the institutional transportation of employees of the Governorate and of the Holy See, and for the maintenance of the vehicles. In addition to the above-mentioned institutional activities, the Autoparco also offers auto workshop services to employees. This service will soon be undergoing a period of reorganization and development.

The Philatelic and Numismatic Department is currently updating its customer information. What are the objectives of this update and when will it be completed?

Activities to collect the details of all the customers who have shown an interest in philately and numismatics in recent years are continuing steadily. Our goal is to implement the measures detailed in the Pontifical Commission’s Decree N. DCLVII on General Regulations on the Protection of Personal Data, promulgated on 30 April 2024, taking the opportunity to remove any incomplete or duplicate data.

To save the time involved in such a laborious activity, an online platform has been set up to improve registration and confirmation of personal details. The updating of personal data is part of a broader and much more complex project. The idea is to take advantage of this “key moment” to renew the sales and market placement policies of this delicate and special institutional activity, in accordance with the provisions of the Bodies of Government.

Do you have any projects for the future?

More than future projects, I would say projects underway. Not because there are no medium-long term ideas, but because the shorter term ones are very important and can significantly affect the future scenario of our activities.

I am referring to the above-mentioned project to rethink philatelic and numismatic commercial activities, but also and above all, to the sale of fast moving consumer goods, which is undergoing a huge process of renewal.

In fact, the “Annona”, which sells foodstuffs, will continue to remain shut for works to the entire building, that include both reconstruction and redevelopment. Almost 100 years since it was established, the Annona will be renewed, yet remain true to its mission: to provide a service to the employees of the Governorate and of the Holy See, allowing them to do their shopping nearby.

The above project is part of a larger project that includes the possibility of outsourcing activities, in order to entrust them to experts from this highly specialized sector, which is dominated by large distribution companies.

Essentially, with our growth strategies, we are gradually developing an explorative itinerary towards new areas, without ever forgetting attention to recipients considered institutional.

Moving away from the strategic activities underway, and turning to the upcoming ones, the following come to mind:

• the redevelopment of the “Emporio” (emporium), which sells non-essential goods, and the expansion of existing display areas, with the creation of new sales areas dedicated to special displays;
• the redevelopment and rationalization of the Magazzino Vignaccia and the complete redevelopment of the sales point (Cash&Carry);

a feasibility study aimed at understanding the types of services we can offer in the auto workshop and in the area of mobility, with the imminent arrival of the “Autoparco Project”.