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New pope pokes out from Vatican gate in impromptu appearance to crowd near Vatican

Article by: FRANCES D'EMILIO , Associated Press
Updated: March 17, 2013 - 5:50 AM

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owatonnabillMar. 16, 1311:45 AM

"A poor church and a church for the poor". Indeed. People see the pomp and glitz of the Vatican and are both impressed and in some cases repulsed. But the Vatican is only the very small tip of a very large iceberg. The Church is not only worldwide but is a worldwide landlord and business concern, owning not only the 110 acres of the Vatican but 177 million acres of land world wide, much of that land in cities that it rents to various business concerns. Also the Vatican has hundreds of Vatican embassies worldwide that are deeded to the Vatican as an independent nation. The church is huge not only in number of members but is also hugely wealthy. Francis may have the best of intentions but there are undoubtly powerful factions within the Church bureaucracy that may not necessarily agree with him and could possibly work to sabotage his best efforts.