Sanity says:

Anyone who has been to the Vatican, will note the opulence, and wealth, of the place....gold, marble, finest woods and paintings, private security force, Mercedes-Benz limousines, finest fabrics, their own bank, top notch food, prepared by world class chefs........................and Catholic beggars just outside the gates.

Well, other than public areas like St. Peter's Basilica and the gift shop, most of the Vatican looks a bit dingy. Yes, Mercedes does seem to be the vehicle of choice, but most Catholic Mercedes cars I've seen, look just like taxicabs. I'm sure there are a few limousines, but even the Popemobile isn't particularly lavish.

As for the food and lodging, most of the menu items seem quite Spartan, and the bedrooms look like monks' cells. I had lunch in Rome with a monsignor (now a bishop) who worked in Cardinal Ratzinger's office. He took me to a pizza place two blocks from the Vatican, within view of the entrance to the Vatican garage. I didn't see lavish cars going through the gate. They were mostly the little cars you see all over Rome, and a few cars that looked like taxicabs.

Yes, you see beggars around the Vatican, just as you will see them in many tourist locations in Europe. You will also find that Rome has Catholic programs set up to help the homeless and needy. And no, the services do not adequately fill the need.

Sanity, do you have no homeless people where you live? Have you never been to Europe to see the Mercedes taxicabs and buses?

-Joe-