Why does Vatican City smell like cash?

Question

If the church loves people so much, why do they hoard all of those pretty, expensive things? Why don't they sell off some of those million dollar paintings and feed some orphans?

Answer 1

The vast majority of the Church’s property (e.g., churches, schools and hospitals) is specifically dedicated to the service of people, especially the poor.

When U.S. urban centers declined in the 1970s and 1980s, the Church didn’t try to sell off her properties before they became devalued. Rather, parishes in Detroit, Chicago, and elsewhere were kept open as long as possible. By the time the Church decided to close and sell them, the property value of the churches had significantly decreased.

The Vatican does own property of substantial financial value. The Church could sell these items, but she considers herself the guardian of these treasures for the whole world. She makes them available for pilgrims and tourists to enjoy when visiting such places as St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the various Vatican museums. The Church has also allowed her art holdings to be used in tours to countries including the United States, for those who cannot visit Italy and elsewhere. Revenue obtained by displaying these items is then used to assist the needs of people everywhere.

If the Church sold all of her various holdings, poverty would continue to be a lasting concern and the Church, the greatest champion of poor and oppressed people throughout the world, would not have the resources to provide assistance. The Church will always be a world leader in addressing poverty.

Answer 2

most of those "pretty things" are really old and have been around for 1500 years, think about it... how much better does a retired person's house and things look from someone that is just starting off in life in there 20's... it's accumulated for a long time, and if you believe in the one true church, then you know that most of those things holy relicts and things of the such....also a true catholic knows that it is up to the people to administer charity.
why don't art museums sell all the famous paintings and things to support all the starving artists. it just isn't plausible.
why don't we call for the president to liquidate all the white house and million dollar paintings and things to try and raise tax funds or pay off the national debt ....it's because it's where he lives and the next pres and the next. the same with the pope or a priest or anyone that lives somewhere that he or she occupy for a short time.

Answer 3

How many orphans have you actually fed today? Even if you have the proportion is probably pretty low compared to the social services that are provided daily by the Catholic Church , the expenditure of which far exceeds the worth of all the art owned by the Vatican, which is considered by the Church to be part of the cultural patrimony belonging to all humanity. Funny, I smell something bitter emanating from your question-- is that-- wait-- I've smelled that before-- it's the smell of self-righteousness and bigotry.

Answer 4

The Catholic Church is the largest organization in the world that feeds and clothes and supplies medicine and housing to millions of people around the world on a daily basis. All of the art work and what have you belongs to the world for us to all enjoy.

Answer 5

Hello, Certainly not in the same sense that any Jewish person can automatically become an Israeli citizen. The Vatican was just more of a piece of land given to the Roman Catholic Church in Italy so she could be an entity in herself and be separate from Italy and her internal politics. Cheers, Michael Kelly

Answer 6

They already do that. I guess you don't know about the selfless work people within the Catholic Church do for the poor. Your avatar says you are a nurse. Can you honestly say that when your shift is up you stay behind one minute to do unpaid work?. Many religious orders do just that, do unpaid work helping the poor. If you think that is baloney then check out the Missionaries of Charity, the Jesuits who work in India to name a few.

Answer 7

Sell off historical artifacts to private collectors, you mean?

Every archeologist in the world would raise an uproar that would shake the supporters of such an atrocious idea to their very core.

Silly idea. They're already the largest charitable organization in the history of our world, and you want to give them a hard time?

Your values need another look.

Answer 8

This info is outdated I'm sure, but,
In the sixties, only the United States, and the USSR, was richer than Vatican City.

In other words, Vatican City was the third richest power in the world at one time.

Answer 9

Why do some nurses fail to do correct handwashing technique? Why do they make up excuses that they don't have time to do it correctly? Why can't doctors write prescriptions so you can actually read them?

THOSE are the more fixable problems... altruism, wisdom and compassion and correct handwashing technique... yes, oh and doctors that actually answer their page when you try to get clarification on an order.

_()_

Answer 10

Who would buy them? Wouldn't it be better if the person who could afford to buy such paintings donated that money to the poor and the paintings were left where millions can enjoy them?