The Hungry and the Naked: Managing Mercy through Public Debt

This essay explores the complex relationship between public debt and the works of mercy, highlighting how financial policies and charitable initiatives were deeply intertwined in papal Rome. Although public debt might initially seem an unlikely topic in the context of a bookon the works of mercy, this analysis reveals its essential role in enabling the Church’s charitable activities. Rooted in the Biblical vision of mercy, which emphasises compassion and care for the most vulnerable, these initiatives were supported by institutions such as the Monti di Pietà and Monti Frumentari. These organisations used public debt not only to combat poverty but also to promote social stability and preserve the dignity of those in need. Including this essay in the book enriches the discussion by illustrating how the Church’s economic strategies were integral to its broader mission of mercy, bridging financial innovation with moral and theological principles. By contextualising public debt within the book’s theme, this essay underscores the profound connection between historical financial practices and the enduring values embodied in the works of mercy, demonstrating how charity in papal Rome was as much a social and economic enterprise as it was a spiritual obligation.