The Vatican has returned to profit after three years in the red, but donations from the faithful fell nearly (EURO)15 million ($22 million), or 18 percent, during a year in which the priest sex abuse scandal exploded.

The Vatican issued its annual financial report Saturday, saying it made a profit of (EURO)9.85 million ($14.3 million) in 2010 following a loss of (EURO)4.01 million ($5.8 million) a year earlier and losses in 2007 and 2008.

The separately administered Vatican city state also turned a (EURO)21.04 million ($30.6 million) profit, thanks to booming ticket sales at the Vatican Museums.

But donations from churches worldwide, the so-called Peter's Pence, were down $14.8 million at $67.70 million. The Vatican didn't give a reason. But the abuse scandal erupted in 2010 in Europe, traditionally a top source of donations.