41°54′11″N12°27′30″E / 41.90302°N 12.45842°E /41.90302; 12.45842
ThePrefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See was an office (a technical category ofdicastery) of theRoman Curia, erected on 15 August 1967, and entrusted with overseeing all the offices of theHoly See that manage finances, regardless of their degree of autonomy.
The prefecture did not manage finances itself, but instead audited the balance sheets and budgets of the offices that do. It then prepared and published annually a general financial report. It had to be consulted on all projects of major importance undertaken by the offices in question.[1]
TheVatican Bank, which does not manage property of the Holy See, was not overseen by the Prefecture.[2] This prefecture was also distinct from theAdministration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, which was formed from the merger of theAdministration of the Property of the Holy See and theSpecial Administration of the Holy See.[citation needed]