The Vatican's bank enjoyed profits of €86.6 million (£72.3m) in 2012, more than four times higher than in 2011, according to its annual report.
The Institute of Religious Works (IOR) has published its annual accounts for the first time in its 125-year history in order to become more financially transparent.
The bank said its quadrupling of profits for 2012 owed to favourable trading reuslts and a surge in the value of the bonds it held. Most of the profit, €54.7m, was given to Pope Francis to carry out the Catholic Church's mission around the world.
The Vatican's bank handles the payroll of around 5,000 Vatican staff and the accounts of the Church's clergy.
Pope Francis Quotes On The Poor
Stealing from the tables of the the poor(01 of21)
Open Image Modal'Money Has To Serve, Not To Rule!'(02 of21)
Open Image Modal'Poor Church For The Poor'(03 of21)
Open Image ModalMen And Women Sacrificed To the Idols Of Profit (04 of21)
Open Image Modal'If Banks Fail It is A Tragedy, If People Die Of Hunger It's Nothing'(05 of21)
Open Image ModalChoose A Humble Car(06 of21)
Open Image Modal'Slave Labor Goes Against God' (07 of21)
Open Image Modal(08 of21)
Open Image Modal"To live charitably means not looking out for our own interests, but carrying the burdens of the weakest and poorest among us." (credit:@pontifex)
(09 of21)
Open Image Modal"We cannot sleep peacefully while babies are dying of hunger and the elderly are without medical assistance." (credit:@pontifex)
(10 of21)
Open Image Modal"There are many people in need in today’s world. Am I self-absorbed in my own concerns or am I aware of those who need help?" (credit:@pontifex)
(11 of21)
Open Image Modal"True charity requires courage: let us overcome the fear of getting our hands dirty so as to help those in need." (credit:@pontifex)
(12 of21)
Open Image Modal"The “throw-away” culture produces many bitter fruits, from wasting food to isolating many elderly people." (credit:@pontifex)
(13 of21)
Open Image Modal"If money and material things become the center of our lives, they seize us and make us slaves." (credit:@pontifex)
(14 of21)
Open Image Modal"Let us ask the Lord to give us the gentleness to look upon the poor with understanding and love, devoid of human calculation and fear." (credit:@pontifex)
(15 of21)
Open Image Modal"Take care of God’s creation. But above all, take care of people in need." (credit:@pontifex)
(16 of21)
Open Image Modal"To live charitably means not looking out for our own interests, but carrying the burdens of the weakest and poorest among us." (credit:@pontifex)
(17 of21)
Open Image Modal"How marvellous it would be if, at the end of the day, each of us could say: today I have performed an act of charity towards others!" (credit:@pontifex)
No More 'Profit At Any Cost'(18 of21)
Open Image Modal"My thoughts turn to all who are unemployed, often as a result of a self-centred mindset bent on profit at any cost." (credit:@pontifex)
'Prayer, Humility, Charity'(19 of21)
Open Image Modal"Prayer, humility, and charity toward all are essential in the Christian life: they are the way to holiness." (credit:@pontifex)
'Moral And Material Poverty'(20 of21)
Open Image Modal"How many kinds of moral and material poverty we face today as a result of denying God and putting so many idols in his place!" (credit:@pontifex)
On Waste(21 of21)
Open Image Modal"Consumerism has accustomed us to waste. But throwing food away is like stealing it from the poor and hungry." (credit:@pontifex)
The bank has €4.98 billion in assets, primarily held in bonds and money market accounts, along with €769m in equity funds.
The IOR also has €41.3m in gold, coins and other metals, along with a stake in an Italian real estate company.
IOR President Ernst Von Freyberg said: "The annual report seeks to contribute to the transparency which the Catholic Church, our customers, our correspondent banks, our authorities and the public rightfully expect."