Hello Bob,   
      
   >LL>The Pope does not draw a salary.  After all, what does a Pope   
   >LL>need a salary for?   
      
   >BB>Not the Pope per se, but the church is known for its wealth.  :)   
      
   >LL>As seen in all its splendor in the Sistine Chapel and other   
   >LL>places.   
      
   BK>The Sistine Chapel is very old.   
      
   Yes, it is.  Kind of like fine wine.   
      
   BK>It's a matter of accumulation.   
      
   That's what makes it so fine.  The wine, Bob.  The wine. You don't   
   think Michelangelo painted all those frescoes on an empty stomach, do   
   you?  Especially while lying on his back.  And let's not forget about   
   his underlings (hired helpers).  Not only did they need food, but they   
   also needed drink.  And one thing the church was never short of was   
   wine.   
      
   BK>After all, old art was not old when it was done. Michaelangelo   
   BK>was not a great artist of long ago when he painted that ceiling.   
      
   Michelangelo was the highest paid artist in the world.  He was   
   also the most well-fed.  Not to mention his wine cellar (unlimited   
   access to the catacombs) being the largest in the world.  While   
   the pope was off to war, Michelangelo and his men were living it   
   up (while watching the frescoes dry on the ceiling, as the pope   
   would never allow lazy bums to freeload off the church).   
      
   >LL>Quite ironic that the troubles at the Vatican Bank wound up   
   >LL>being a contributing factor in forcing BXVI to resign.   
   >LL>Even more ironic that the Vatican is now considering doing   
   >LL>away with the Vatican Bank.  But then, the new pope may be   
   >LL>trying to set an example ...   
      
   BK>Benedict resigned because his health is failing.   
      
   That certainly did not stop John Paul II from staying on the job.   
   As such, I do not believe the story the Vatican has been spinning.   
   On the other hand, Benedict might very well have wanted more free   
   time to spend with his brother.  And let's not forget about the   
   nuns ...   
      
   BK>I would not be surprised if he doesn't survive very long.   
      
   You might be surprised at how active an old coot can be with   
   the ladies.  And with his brother to help him, they might even   
   make it a threesome.  Oh my.  Such dirty thoughts.  I could   
   get excommunicated for that ...   
      
   BK>Or becomes disabled and survives longer than he would like.   
      
   Them nuns can do miracles reviving old men.  You do know that ...   
      
   >BB>Goes to feed the poor.   
      
   >LL>There is a soup kitchen at the Vatican???   
      
   BK>In it's local agencies.   
      
   I know there is a jail.  Used only once, back in the   
   1950s.  A priest had a wee bit too much wine and needed   
   a place to sober up.  Not sure if it serves any useful   
   purpose today.   
      
   BK>... You cannot run any government by lying to yourself.   
      
   GWB did it by lying to everybody but himself.  Does that count?   
      
   --Lee   
      
      
    * SLMR 2.1a * Mais, jamais de la vie.   
      
   --- Maximus 3.01   
    * Origin: Xaragmata / Adelaide SA telnet://xaragmata.mooo.com (3:800/432)