Would it be a bad thing for the Vatican to sell all its stolen treasues and solve poverty?

Answer 1

Yea. But they wouldn't have any power would they?

Answer 2

Why do you assume that the Vatican is holding 'stolen' treasures, and that the sale of these 'treasures' would solve 'poverty' in this world? I think that your question 'inaccurately states' two things ... one that there are 'stolen' items that the Vatican holds, and the second that it has 'enough value' in those stolen items to 'solve poverty' ...
Yes, the 'Vatican' (which is a 'COUNTRY' inside the city of Rome that is 'owned' by EVERY CATHOLIC IN THE WORLD) does have quite a few items that many people would call 'treasure' ... but MOST if not ALL of those 'treasures' were 'acquired rightfully' by the church, either as 'the spoils of war' (sorry, but taking 'spoils' is not 'stealing' ... it might not be 'totally right' but it's still not STEALING) or because people have GIVEN THEM to the church, or the church has PURCHASED THEM at a 'fair price' in the 'open market.'
The Vatican actually holds these 'treasures' for THE WHOLE WORLD ... because most of them are not just 'valuable' but are 'fine art' or 'excellent writing' and with the Vatican having them in it's possession it means that NORMAL PEOPLE will ALWAYS have 'access to them' ... and since we know that all 'governments' are not 'good' and that some actually do things like BURN BOOKS AND FINE ART, I'm GLAD the Vatican holds these things 'in perpetuity.'
Yes, these are 'treasures' but I don't think that their 'monetary value' is enough to 'solve poverty' ... for the simple reason that it would take a lot more than MONEY to 'solve poverty' ... you'd need to be able to get a 'good college level education' and you'd have to 'know how to buy food or grow food and cook it PROPERLY and 'tastily' ... and many other things that can't have MONEY THROWN AT IT to be 'solved.'
Third, why should it be the 'responsibility' of JUST the Catholics of this world to 'solve poverty' ... even if we do 'own more treasures' and are 'keeping them for the WHOLE WORLD' that doesn't release people of EVERY RELIGION and ALL OF THE ATHEISTS AND AGNOSTICS from sharing the same responsibility ... and the Catholics are a 'religious organization' and that means that 'they' (including me in that 'they' because I'm a Catholic) are FAR MORE INTERESTED IN PEOPLE GETTING TO HEAVEN than in 'solving the PROBLEM of poverty in this world' ... and we do MORE THAN ANY OTHER RELIGION to 'solve poverty' anyway ...

Answer 3

Most of the art treasures possessed by the Vatican were commissioned by or for the various popes, or purchased by them or for them. Unlike most European art collections, the Vatican's is pretty free of the taint of being stolen from other people.

However, even if the sold everything, it wouldn't make much difference. The population of the world is about 6 billion, and arguably 80% of them live in greater or lesser degrees of poverty. Lets say we ar talking about the bottom 20% -- people surviving on less than US$1 a day; you are still talking about 1.2 billion people.

Lets say you plan on giving them $100 each; the Vatican treasures would have to be sold for US$120 billion...but it is doubtful they are worth that much. $100 each would only be the equivalent of about 4 months income for these people; within 6 months they would be no better off.

And a great, publicly accessible collection of Art would be dispersed, mostly into private hands (since no state or public institution could afford to buy it), and lost forever.

In addition, the Vatican collections are part the heritage of the Italian people; you would also be doing them a huge injustice, for a very irrational project.

Answer 4

You really should do a little research.

The Vatican's yearly budget is about the size of that of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The funds go partly for the upkeep of the Vatican itself, partly for missionary and other work around the world. Not bad for an organization with a billion members.

The wealth of the Church is almost entirely in church buildings, hospitals, schools, and missions, plus artworks. You could sell off the artworks, but the proceeds wouldn't feed the poor of the world for even a day.

If the Vatican sold all its artworks, they would bring in hundreds of millions of dollars -- but only once. Then they would be gone, and that money wouldn't go very far. (In the U.S. alone we spend hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars each year on welfare-related programs.) Second, the popes are custodians, not owners. They have a responsibility to preserve these [bequeathed/donated] artistic treasures for posterity, not to sell them off to private collections.

Answer 5

Why not take it up with God?

Jesus himself said that the poor would always be with us.

In the mean time, all that treasure you claim is "stolen" is available for everyone, even the poor, to personally experience, and enjoy.

What do you care about the Vatican anyway?

Answer 6

I think it should give them to museums. Knowledge shouldnt be hidden like that. Then they can devote some of that excessively abundant gold to solving poverty. Isnt it odd that the largest and oldest followers of Christ (Who instructed people to live simple lives, dont dwell on worldly posessions, and follow god) is one of the richest entities on earth. yeah.. that's Christian..

Answer 7

They have stolen treasures? Do tell!
†

Answer 8

poverty wouldn't be solved.

some people are inherently stupid and lazy.

Answer 9

they will , just after they turn over the child molesters.........

Answer 10

they would NEVER do this......thats just what they are about.........