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Xithras

(16,191 posts)

24. Not really.

Thu May 16, 2013, 05:42 PM

May 2013

The "mountain of gold" thing is more hyperbole than fact. The Vatican's gold reserves are estimated to be worth a few billion dollars...an amount equal to the one-year budget of a typical largish American city (think Houston or Seattle, not New York or Los Angeles). That's still a lot of money, but it's not as much as most seem to think they have.

Most of the Vatican's wealth is locked up in land, buildings, and other investments they've acquired over the past couple millennia.

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Pope Francis hits out at global 'cult of money' [View all] Turborama May 2013 OP

I almost believe him. NYtoBush-Drop Dead May 2013 #1

Pope Franny, do the name Banco Ambrosiano strike a familiar note? Berlum May 2013 #2

I think he is right Yo_Mama May 2013 #3

He says some good words. nt ladjf May 2013 #4

". . . people were valued only by their ability to consume" siligut May 2013 #5

And what about the CHURCH'S money, Francis?? Zoeisright May 2013 #6

Yup. The Vatican sits on a mountain of gold. Shows what they value... SunSeeker May 2013 #7

Not really. Xithras May 2013 #24

I'll grant you the real estate it holds, tax free, may be worth more than its gold. SunSeeker May 2013 #25

Not any more. bitchkitty May 2013 #38

Yeah, but he did not get rid of the gold throne. nt SunSeeker May 2013 #39

It's pretty moronic bitchkitty May 2013 #40

Seriously? It takes someone "all-powerful" to get rid of a chair? nt SunSeeker May 2013 #41

Post removed Post removed May 2013 #42

No, that's a myth. Xithras May 2013 #46

I don't think anyone is "vilifying" Catholic laity as "greedy." SunSeeker May 2013 #49

Yest tom_kelly May 2013 #8

you know, if he starts paying off people's medical debts zazen May 2013 #9

Agree 100% JNelson6563 May 2013 #11

I'm pretty sure the Pope supports neither dreamnightwind May 2013 #22

Honestly, one of the best ways to ease, not get out from under, the other scandal tavalon May 2013 #14

It's no more his money, than the treasury's money is Obamas. nt onehandle May 2013 #36

Hmmm something about the mote in one's eye and the beam in your own... Duer 157099 May 2013 #10

I still think he inherited a load of shit tavalon May 2013 #12

this coming from the CEO of the obscenely rich catholic extortion racket lol nt msongs May 2013 #13

Maybe he'll use some (most) of that money to help the poor tavalon May 2013 #15

This is what he inherited. He did not create the situation. It's beginning Cal33 May 2013 #31

Whoa. He has been paying attention, and is unafraid to say it. Needs to said more often: freshwest May 2013 #16

Thank for this post T. Here's the whole thing Catherina May 2013 #17

Thanks dreamnightwind May 2013 #23

Thanks for posting that Catherina! Nihil May 2013 #29

Action! Not words. closeupready May 2013 #18

Okay, then, Francis, empty the Vatican coffers. Arugula Latte May 2013 #19

Let's give this guy a chance. colorado_ufo May 2013 #20

Good point. demosincebirth May 2013 #28

Just like that? yea, right. demosincebirth May 2013 #26

Francis wants world leaders to end the cult of money just like that. Arugula Latte May 2013 #35

You know he can't just to that. Who knows how much the Vatican donates to causes. Do you. demosincebirth May 2013 #37

Actually, if you look at the government involved, he can just do that. Occulus May 2013 #45

Tell that Obama guy to do it too. onehandle May 2013 #34

The pope is the one demanding the wealthy do more for the poor. Arugula Latte May 2013 #48

What will Ryan do? Poor guy, he'll be lost, now. toby jo May 2013 #21

He should hold a big hat sale. chollybocker May 2013 #27

Pope Francis ignored again by world's businesses. N/T GreenStormCloud May 2013 #30

I'm liking this treestar May 2013 #32

Money talks. Popes walk. Orsino May 2013 #33

How much the Vatican got tabasco May 2013 #43

I guess irony isn't dead after all. Occulus May 2013 #44

I don't care what anyone else says, I like this Pope. Beacool May 2013 #47