Hacker News Reader

Comment by dylan604 | Hacker News Reader

I'm curious to why does the Pope need a bank account at all. He's provided housing. He's fed and watered. His transportation is covered. He has a Swiss Guard security detail. For life.

View on HN

He obviously had the account before he became Pope, but when he did become Pope, he had to change his residence to another country. In today's world, it does seem unreasonable for a bank to require somebody to make an international trip just to change a phone number. If he can prove that he already has access to the accounts, that ought to be enough.

In today's world, I don't really think that come in for an in-person confirmation is that bad of a thing. So much social engineering happens to specifically take over an account. Hanging up on the Pope does seem extreme, but at the same time, the odds of the Pope calling would be very low and a very strange one. You gotta imagine the number of crank calls and unruly callers the people have to deal with on a daily.

The whole thing just made me think that the Pope would still have personal accounts. Does he still use his personal AOL email address? All of those things we take for granted, but nobody ever changes to a for life new persona like this.

Sometimes even the pope wants to buy a birthday card for a niece or nephew.

My uncle is the pope, but all I got was this Hallmark card with a tenner in it.

Before he was Pope he was Father Bobby from Chicago, and he had an account, got paid, and live life as a normal (albeit, ordained) member of society.

priests who drive cars still need car insurance and gas, etc.

"why does a CEO need a bank account at all? he's provided an airplane, a company car, paid security, and comps his lunches"

That's all great, and nobody said anything different. However, he is no longer Father Bobby. He is now Pope Leo XIV. I doubt even his closest friends would call him Bobby any more. Does the Pope even draw a salary?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yrIvEgqAuo =)

did you know Rolex are quite popular in Vatican to the point that they offer a latin day wheel on the day-date.

Just because you are provided with necessities, does not mean your every material need is met.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com