The Sistine Chapel is the most over rated place in the World. It is ugly and just a large hall with a painted ceiling. I was not impressed. However, St. Peter's is pretty swanky.

I don't mind so much, I just think they shouldn't dance around the fact that they're willing to rent the place out if the price is high enough. They're perfectly free to funnel all such rental fees to charity work with the poor.

ON ROME IN THE PONTIFICATE OF JULIUS II._

_Qua si fa elmi._


Here helms and swords are made of chalices:
The blood of Christ is sold so much the quart:
His cross and thorns are spears and shields; and short
Must be the time ere even his patience cease.
Nay let him come no more to raise the fees
Of this foul sacrilege beyond report!
For Rome still flays and sells him at the court,
Where paths are closed to virtue's fair increase.
Now were fit time for me to scrape a treasure!
Seeing that work and gain are gone; while he
Who wears the robe, is my Medusa still.
God welcomes poverty perchance with pleasure:
But of that better life what hope have we,
When the blessed banner leads to nought but ill?

goes to the poor.

Nice place huh? We'd....The Pope I mean, would appreciate if youse could make some sorta let's say contribution for this wonderful evening you and your lovely wife are having. Just a little sumpthin that's all.

We... The Pope prefers cash but I can't take it myself you see. Youse can give to Sal over there. He'll make sure it gets to one of The Pope's favorite charities.

but that would be hubby and I - I am female

Funny when the biggest renters are punk/Goth bands, so the few geezers sit sipping beer surrounded by kids in tats and piercings.

If you will recall, selling indulgences became a means for the Church to be able to finance special projects, such as the construction of the Vatican in the sixteenth century.