Rome businesses count their blessings with US pope

Thu, 15 May 2025 10:20:41 +0000

The election of the first US pope is a godsend to businesses in Rome, as big-spending pilgrims flocking to the Vatican are also expected to spend in the Eternal City."We're really pleased, it's great for business," restaurant owner Cristiano Bolognesi told AFP following the election of Robert Francis Prevost last week as Pope Leo XIV. Americans "don't spend as much as before, but they still have dollars.