June 4, 2026, 2:12 p.mJune 4, 2026, 2:12 p.m
Pope Leo XIV has his PayPal balance back. The treasurer of the US state of Illinois, Michael Frerichs, brought the church leader the 8.65 US dollars (6.81 francs) to Rome. They date from the time before his election as Pope in May 2025. Frerichts commented on the handover on
Pope Leo is now almost $9 richer.Image: keystone
Frerichs was alluding to the fact that after his election, Leo XIV tried to change his personal information at his bank in Chicago by telephone. The lady on the other end of the line asked him to come in person – impossible for a pope. When Leo XIV asked if telling her he was the pope would make a difference, the bank teller hung up.
Leo XIV confirmed the story when he met the treasurer: “They just hung up. This is a true – albeit slightly embellished – but true story.” (dab/sda/awp/apa)