How Rome transformed the death of a pope and the election of a new pope into an economic engine worth millions of euros

The spending patterns followed predictably religious rhythms: modest daily budgets, but massive collective impact. With an average daily spend of 120 euros per person—including accommodation, meals, transport, souvenirs, and miscellaneous donations—Rome’s economy surged. Hotels and short-term rentals brought in between 114 and 144 million euros. Restaurants saw revenues spike by as much as 40%, with estimates of 45.6 to 57.6 million euros in dining-related income