Cardinal George Pell was appointed to rein in spending last year after the Pope started his reforms on the Holy See's economy.
It's reported that when Pope Francis found out the cardinal had spent 4,600 euros on a designer kitchen unit he asked: "What, is it made of gold?"
The Australian cardinal spent 47,000 euros on furnishings and decoration for his new office and apartment, it's claimed.
In a leaked list of expenses it's shown the head of the Secretariat for the Economy spent 2,508 euros on silk and lace robes.
The details appeared in Italian magazine L'Espresso.
Fr Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said: "Passing confidential documents to the press for polemical ends or to foster conflict is not new, but is always to be strongly condemned, and is illegal.
"The article makes direct personal attacks that should be considered undignified and petty. It is untrue that the Secretariat for the Economy is not carrying on its work with continuity and efficacy."