
In a recent interview, Pope Francis spoke frankly about something that more than a few people have speculated on – whether he will sell the Vatican’s priceless works of art and give the money to the poor.
In an interview with a Dutch newspaper published by homeless people, Pope Francis was asked whether, given his outspoken commitment to the poor, he ever feels pressure to put the Church’s artistic and historical treasures up for auction.
For those who were worried that he might, his answer should calm you down a little:
“This is an easy question. They are not the treasures of the Church, [but] the treasures of humanity. For example, if tomorrow I say that Michelangelo’s Pieta is going to be auctioned, it can’t be done, because it’s not the property of the Church. It’s inside a church, but it belongs to humanity,” he said, explaining that this is true “for all the treasures of the Church.”
So there you have it. The Pieta isn’t going anywhere. So go see it.