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aprilfloyd
Guest
Watching the news feeds on the resignation of the Pope, how do people feel about the ostentation and wealth of the Vatican - is it time for a leaner management’
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DexUK
Guest
The Vatican as a ‘corporation’ runs far leaner than any commercial organisation, considering the size of the operation it runs.
As for helicopters, have you been to Rome? Would you want the Holy Father (ex, or otherwise) to have to contend with the Roman traffic? I’ve been there, and I can promise you that it’s pretty lethal…
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PaulfromIowa
Guest
The helicopter ride was provided by the Italian government at no charge to the Church. I am sure that there is waste at the Vatican but their budget is miniscule compared to the governments of the world. Compare the Pope’s helicopter ride with the fleet of aircraft and thousands of people who travel with President Obama every time he travels.
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Allegra
Guest
No. The management is lean enough. The helicpter ride gave all the people in the Vatican the chance to say good-bye to their pope on such a momentous and historical occasion. It was certainly fitting. I don’t think helicopter rides are that expensive anyway. My friend went on one during her honeymoon.
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tuscany
Guest
**What might people be expecting to watch, the 85 year old Pope ride off on a donkey ?
Should the next Pope visit other countries by using a wind in the sails 1800’s Clipper ship ?
I would imagine by the Pope using a helicopter, that there didn’t have to be any streets blocked off, or traffic jams. The big wigs in Washington D.C. use helicopters all the time to zip from one place to another rather than have the hassle of blocking off streets and causing traffic jams.
The Pope is the head of the Vatican, and no matter what he does, there are going to be people that complain about anything he does. And besides…
the Vatican will be getting Medieval here pretty quick by sending smoke signals.**
Should the next Pope visit other countries by using a wind in the sails 1800’s Clipper ship ?
I would imagine by the Pope using a helicopter, that there didn’t have to be any streets blocked off, or traffic jams. The big wigs in Washington D.C. use helicopters all the time to zip from one place to another rather than have the hassle of blocking off streets and causing traffic jams.
The Pope is the head of the Vatican, and no matter what he does, there are going to be people that complain about anything he does. And besides…
the Vatican will be getting Medieval here pretty quick by sending smoke signals.**
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Church_Militant
Guest
“Ostentation”? Really? The man is not only Pope but a head of state, who also travels extensively in carrying out his responsibilities as Pope. Do you see other heads of state walking to meetings?
The Catholic Church and particularly the Vatican, only rarely ever break even fiscally because they give away so much to disaster victims and other needy causes. Much of it out of the Pope’s own “Peter’s Pence”, which is his personal discretionary fund.
The “wealth of the Vatican” is a popular anti-Catholic myth, especially compared to the American mega churches and their pastors, some of whom have even air conditioned their dog’s houses.
The museums of the Vatican do contain many artifacts that are preserved by the Church, but they are items donated to them and kept in trust…not for profit.
It would be difficult (and unreasonable) to expect much leaner management from the Vatican.
Suggest that you get your facts straight before making remarks like this in future.
HOLY SEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 2011
The Catholic Church and particularly the Vatican, only rarely ever break even fiscally because they give away so much to disaster victims and other needy causes. Much of it out of the Pope’s own “Peter’s Pence”, which is his personal discretionary fund.
The “wealth of the Vatican” is a popular anti-Catholic myth, especially compared to the American mega churches and their pastors, some of whom have even air conditioned their dog’s houses.
The museums of the Vatican do contain many artifacts that are preserved by the Church, but they are items donated to them and kept in trust…not for profit.
It would be difficult (and unreasonable) to expect much leaner management from the Vatican.
Suggest that you get your facts straight before making remarks like this in future.
HOLY SEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 2011
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SonSearcher
Guest
Judas thought like this.
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LightFromLight
Guest
That wealth belongs to them, what would you like them to do with it? Without wealth the Catholic church would not be able to help anyone or support its clergy. The Pope eats plain food and does not live in a luxurioux manner, either does any of the clergy. Without the money spent on security the Pope would be assasinated, the money protects Christ’s church.
Remember what Judas said in John 12:1-11.
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tabycat
Guest
Wealth of the Vatican??? You mean churchs like St. Peter’s? Or maybe the art work?
Don’t mind me, I’ve heard about the wealth of the Vatican (and the Catholic Church) just a few to many times. 
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Church_Militant
Guest
I was thinking that same thing.
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jediliz
Guest
there are megachurches, not Catholic ones, that build huge elaborate buildings to have their “services” in. I’ve been to one that was used for a high school graduation…it was more like an auditorium than a church with seats like you’d find in a movie theater!
They could have built a regular old fashioned church and then given the rest to the poor and needy.
What Vatican **wealth **are you talking about?
I’d rather we say farewell to him via the Helicopter than the will-come-in-time funeral mass.
They could have built a regular old fashioned church and then given the rest to the poor and needy.
What Vatican **wealth **are you talking about?
I’d rather we say farewell to him via the Helicopter than the will-come-in-time funeral mass.
Mary_Gail_36
New member
If you notice the side of the helicopter, it said “Repubblica Italiana” so transport was provided by the Italian Government.
Most world leaders don’t provide for their own transportation. The president of the US flies on airforce 1 or: Marine 1. It wasn’t the Holy Father’s personal helicopter.
Most world leaders don’t provide for their own transportation. The president of the US flies on airforce 1 or: Marine 1. It wasn’t the Holy Father’s personal helicopter.
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aprilfloyd
Guest
In the story, did Judas not do as he was commanded by God?
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aprilfloyd
Guest
I was looking for views and posted a question - not aware that I established any facts.“Ostentation”? Really? The man is not only Pope but a head of state, who also travels extensively in carrying out his responsibilities as Pope. Do you see other heads of state walking to meetings?
The Catholic Church and particularly the Vatican, only rarely ever break even fiscally because they give away so much to disaster victims and other needy causes. Much of it out of the Pope’s own “Peter’s Pence”, which is his personal discretionary fund.
The “wealth of the Vatican” is a popular anti-Catholic myth, especially compared to the American mega churches and their pastors, some of whom have even air conditioned their dog’s houses.
The museums of the Vatican do contain many artifacts that are preserved by the Church, but they are items donated to them and kept in trust…not for profit.
It would be difficult (and unreasonable) to expect much leaner management from the Vatican.
Suggest that you get your facts straight before making remarks like this in future.
HOLY SEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 2011
I am curious as to how one would need to get their facts ‘straight’ - if they were facts.
It is a common phrase - ‘the wealth of the church’ and was mentioned in many news bulletins.
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Sarcelle
Guest
I would like to know how you define ostentation and wealth.
What is your vision of a leaner Vatican?
Just curious.
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Ceil-1
Guest
Of course not. If it’s in the news, it’s got to be accurate.
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LegoGE1947
Guest
As my dad used to say “Some people would complain if they were hung with a new rope!”
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chevalier
Guest
There was nothing ostentatious in that. If you looked closely on the helicopter, you could see Repubblica Italiana on it. It was basically a government chopper belonging to the Italian state.
It’s cheaper and less ostentatious when VIPs fly in copters than when they block the traffic, make every car drive to the side to make room, block off entire streets, post gates, send pedestrians away or inspect documents, post snipers on roofs on the entire route and so on.
And yes, Roman traffic is awful. The traditional every Friday strike by the metro (no kidding) is already awful, now imagine the effect of 1) preparing the route for the papal column, 2) executing the ride.
Also, don’t be misguided by the crowds in St. Peter’s square.
Those were not mediaeval peasants or people from a communist regime lined up and ordered to come and pretend to be enthused about participating. Those people came there to say goodbye to their Pope. And the situation did merit a public goodbye! How would you feel if the Pope simply disappeared quietly at night and the Vatican contented itself with issuing a short press release about the subject? There’d be talking about a secretive organisation living behind an iron gate, keeping aloof of the faithful etc.
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LegoGE1947
Guest
Maybe a leaner Vatican would mean the former Pope gets into an old Ford pickup and drives off, with the engine chugging and blue smoke coming out the exhaust.
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Allegra
Guest
The “wealth of the Church” may be a common phrase, but it’s a common misconception. Most of the “wealth of the Church” is contained in buildings, relics, and artwork, that are indeed priceless, (mostly because of their historical and artistic value) but were given to the whole Church by the faithful and are kept in a state where they can be experienced by the whole Church.
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