26 SEPTEMBER 1998, Page 28

Treasure in heaven

BANKERS share a patron saint with tax- collectors — he is St Matthew, who heard the call at the receipt of custom — but in these parlous times they could do with one of their own. Responding to their needs, the Pope this week canonised Giuseppe Tovini, founder of the Banco Ambrosiano. This bank's links with the Vatican proved an embarrassment when its general manag- er, Roberto Calvi, fell victim to an unusual- ly vicious suicide, held in suspense under Blackfriars Bridge. Calvi's nickname was `God's banker', but I shall be surprised if there are any plans to canonise him yet.