pope deplores non-Vatican wealth

In a New Year's homily, Pope Benedict XVI deplored the depredations of rampant capitalism and prayed that the many peacemakers of the world would find a place in a global consciousness.

He deplored "hotbeds of tension and conflict caused by growing instances of inequality between rich and poor".

Looking into the Roman Catholic mirror did not play a role in the pope's New Year hopes.

The Catholic church is the biggest financial power, wealth accumulator and property owner in existence. She is a greater possessor of material riches than any other single institution, corporation, bank, giant trust, government or state of the whole globe. The pope, as the visible ruler of this immense amassment of wealth, is consequently the richest individual of the twentieth century. No one can realistically assess how much he is worth in terms of billions of dollars.

Wrongly quoted, the saying goes, "Money is the root of all evil." The correct quote is, "The love of money is the root of all evil." No doubt the Vatican does not love money and is thereby exempted from critical appraisal.

And if you believe that one, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn.