Do Any Automated Teller Machines Use Latin?

The automated teller machines (ATMs) use Latin as a language option in Vatican City, the independent city-state that is ruled by the Pope, or the head of the Catholic Church. The classical language is otherwise extinct throughout the rest of the world, but remains in use in many official capacities of the Catholic Church, including the Vatican Bank.

The Vatican Bank, technically known as the Institute for the Works of Religion, is a private financial institution that was founded in 1942 to handle money used for charity and other religious functions in Vatican City.

More about Vatican City :

  • Vatican City is the smallest country in the world – it is about one-eighth the size of New York City’s Central Park, and has about 800 citizens, who are mostly diplomats.
  • Although Vatican City has one judge and no prisons, it has the highest rate of crime in the world, with approximately 1.5 criminal instances per citizen. This is thought to be due to the large number of thefts by tourists.
  • Catholics donate approximately $100 million US Dollars (USD) to Vatican City every year, which is used to maintain the city, fund the Pope’s travels, and donate to charitable causes.

Discussion Comments

anon991399

"The classical language is otherwise extinct throughout the rest of the world"

Actually, Latin is wildly popular in Finland. The BBC has an article about it, and naturally there's one on Wikipedia.

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