Argentina's president tried to give Pope Francis' foundation 16,666,000 pesos. The pope refused because 666.
Pope Francis has asked the educational foundation Scholas Occurrentes to turn down a donation totaling 16,666,000 pesos — nearly $1.2 million. His reason? In part, because "I don't like the 666," Francis reportedly wrote in a postscript of his note to the Argentina-based foundation. In the Bible, the number 666 is deemed the "number of the beast," or the devil's number.
Now, the 666 was far from the only reason Francis pushed the organization — which touts itself as "an international organization of pontifical right approved and raised by Pope Francis" — to reject the donation. The man behind the money was Argentine President Mauricio Macri, a man with whom The Guardian reports Francis has long had a "frosty relationship," largely over the center-right president's austerity measures.
The organization has heeded Francis' request and returned the donation, citing the "confusion" caused by those trying to "misrepresent this institutional gesture" as an improvement in relations between Francis and Macri.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Magazine interactive crossword - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
The Vatican's stand on gender-affirming care
Speed Read A new published document condemns gender transition, calling it a threat to human dignity
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The United Methodist Church has lost 20% of U.S. congregations in schism over LGBTQ rules
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Pope Francis investigates Texas bishop, accepts early resignation of embattled Tennessee prelate
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Southern Baptists expel Saddleback, 2nd church over female pastors, approve further clampdown
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Thousands flock to Missouri to see body of nun who died in 2019
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Report finds nearly 2,000 kids abused by Catholic clergy in Illinois over decades
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Pope Francis is involved in 'mission' to bring peace to Ukraine
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Jewish-Muslim tensions boil over in Jerusalem
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published