firstly the so called Vatican "billions" that many are alluding to are not "anyones" to own. The pope himself does not own them personally.... they are there for the whole world. If the Church did in fact get rid of its mother churches and the like where would we be? we would be lost.

Michael O'Rourke, Liverpool, UK

it makes me sick to see some of the comments some ignorent and dissrespectful people have made. If you actually follow what the Church and the Popes teach then you would have realised that they have constantly told us about what the results of love of money are.

Michael O'Rourke, Liverpool, UK

And lets not forget that the Catholic Church is the biggest charitable organization in the world who is constantly working for the poor and on human rights issues!

Michael O'Rourke, Liverpool, UK

The dogmatic, secular fundamentalism and anti-religious fanaticism expressed on this forum is breath-taking.

Some views expressed here make the Pope's statement sound like a breath of fresh air.

Les Livingstone, Iowa, USA

I would certainly like to see all the Catholic Churches turn away all donations and funds. I would certainly like to see the Vatican give away all it's gold. Then the truth shall be seen.

Jes, portretus, usa

The bible also tells us not to judge! How about looking in a mirror? The results might be too terrifying for us! Is that why it's so easy to point fingers?

michelle, grand rapids,

Being a Roman Catholic i think the Pope is living in a dream world. I have been to the Vatican , Saint Peters is a Beautiful work of art . The Gold , Silver & Art works are worth Billions not counting the Buildings that House them .My Parish Priest once said to me . They should sell all of it !

Paul. M, Cambridge, USA

the vatican can probably open its vault and bail out the whole planet !!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVS5mlphVRo

rich, pittsburgh, pa, usa

The Catholic church alone is worth trillions of dollars- is it possible that the governments turn to religion to solve the global economic crisis. Could it be that governments are eying off religion's immense material wealth???

angie, melbourne, australia

My question to the Pope is how much sand do you have?
Roll out the catholics and bring in the Christians.
The Pope like all good catholics choose to deny Life by way of celebacy and you expect me to listen to he who denies Life in the pursuit of his G-d. Christians never deny Life- Ever!

Ogmios, Mornington, Australia

How can the Pope be Holy & Good when Jesus said there is not even one who is good except that one who is God. Would Jesus be impressed with the titles men confer upon themselves when he said of the Rabbi's of his day that they just loved their titles, & loved being thought of as good?

Mo Coffee, seattle,

@ alexis:

The Bible is the Word of God because it was given to man from God Himself. One has to trust that God will not allow His word to be abused, and one also has to believe that God would give that Word to the people who wrote it, regardless of prejudice, belief, or fault.

Deviros, Alpharetta, USA

I personally think it's the pope who's the false prophet because he's talking on behalf of an invisible Sky-God who is nothing more than a creature of the imagination.
It's time we gave up the childish god delusion, and time the pope got a real job.

colin, kelowna bc, canada

Blessed are those who are hated because of me.

Whenever someone decides to spread anti catholic sentiments, I think only of this above piece of scripture. After all, you won't hear messages of hate from the Catholic church for other denominations, but the others seem to have a lack of love for us.

Bill Carver, Eastpointe, MI, USA

Would you guys quit criticizing the Pope, the man Christ ordained today to be His representative here on earth? Can you ever say anything good about someone who is truly good and holy?

What has Pope Benedict done to you??

gloriak, Baton Rouge , USA

It is remarkable how bitter a number of these comments are. If you have any constructive criticisms, by all means note them. Otherwise, leave such bitter, insulting, and naive comments to yourself.

Mike, Seattle, United States of America

It is sad that even the Pope can't resist the temptation to make religious capital out of the misfortune of others. The people to suffer most from the credit crunch will be the poor living in the third world since charity not only begins at home, in hard times it tends to stop at home

David Cotterell, Cheltenham, Uk

Alittle hard to take seriously from a guy who wears Prada shoes and flies around in a private jet......

TSue, Riverside , CA, usa

did he speak at his summer castle, or the one in Rome?

kloro, arcata,

I quite agree with the Popes comments, and that the banking system was founded by the church in the first place. In fact the 2 systems of Religon and capitalism are based on the same thing. Human greed and selfishness.

Raymond, Leicester,

Tell you what Pope, I'll swap you your Vatican for my everlasting love.

Howard, Manchester,

You cannot fault the timing of the Vatican! I can think of no other time when the reading of Kings would be compulsory television viewing; however after the recent success of reality T.V. it must be a banker!

Cambayne, Edinburgh, Scotland

As someone who has long fallen away from the organized church and doesn't really practice any faith, it amazes me the amount of people here who are lashing out. This financial crisis was not created by God but by evil, greedy men who control the engine of this world. Where's the fury against them?

KG, St. Louis, USA

Pray to Jesus. He is Love.

Dustin, Hudsonville, MI,

The banking system is built on sand? How about an institution built on a collection of fairy stories from the Bronze ages? His Holiness is entitled to express an opinion on any subject, but when these are crass, ignorant or derivative (i.e always) civilised men must treat them with deserved contempt

richard, London,

I am not a Catholic but I think the Pope was not far off the mark. As an American who had investments in Wall Street, I can say for certain that the stock market and the financial institutions are built on air. Billions of imaginary fortunes were made and lost overnight! Vanished into thin air!

Leo, Iowa , USA

ABC.

A cardinal said one day that prayers are very good but without money one cannot do a thing.

JM. Vanasse, Gatineau, Canada

You have to be kidding me. How many BILLIONS is the catholic church sitting on? How much of that money could make a difference to all of those born as a result of their antiquated policies. The biggest problem we face is not financial, it is over-population. Stop breeding.

NickToodle, Luckshire, Gambia

Well said.

Richard, Bristol, UK

Why would Jesus be horrified? Whoever posted that, are you even AWARE of the charities around the world established by Catholicism? What do you expect churches to look like, grass huts? What were the "temples" like in the Bible? Please.

Sarah, Oklahoma City,

What nonsence people say. Christ himself said ,' John came wearing sackcloths and eating locusts , not eating or drinking and you say he is possessed. I drink and eat with tax collectors and sinners and you say 'he is a glutton and a drunkard.' Likewise , the Pope cannot win.

chris m, morbihan, france

LOL. When I saw the headline, the liquid I was drinking snorted
out of my nose.

Although, it's actually very sad a lot of people don't get the
joke (and it's on you!)

edg, Burlingame, United States

Has anyon told the Pope that Vatican II was also built on sand? Perhaps that's was the church is in chaos and there is no longer a strong guidpost for moralaity. Oh yes and I wonder if he would ever listen to the scientific evidence against evolution? Such is theological life in Rome these days.

H. Miller, Columbus OH, USA

Nice, reading the entire Bible, OT and NT, in one week! I am sure that they will fully grasp It's deepest meaning, which others could spend a lifetime reading and still not walk away with all that it contains. And, they will be reading transcriptions of transcriptions, other than the original.

Yohanan, Small, USA

This is great, they will read the bible and realise that God condones the oppression of women and homosexuals and find out that God is also pro-slavery and stoning!

Adam, Hamilton, Canada

Jesus said "Upon this rock, I will build my church."

FACT: The Catholic Church = The largest charitable org on the planet.

Seek the Truth and the Truth will set you free. Start here:
CatholicsComeHome.org
Catholic.com

Shannon, Austin, Texas, USA

It seems hypocritical for the Pope, who rides private jets, lives in a palace, and is the ahead of Church that owns millions in real estate around the world and collects hundreds of millions in donations to support the Church to chastise people wanting a better life who also donate that same money.

Joe, Seattle, USA

This is the same pope " that warned Sunday that modern culture is pushing God out of people's lives, causing nations once rich in religious faith to lose their identities." Since when were there ever great, wholesome, problemless god-filled societies and who's god anyway.

Milton Fingerstrong, chicago, usa

Stephanie, Dallas, TX, USA;

Does the word coincidence mean anything to you? If you are as utterly brainwashed as you appear why do you even try to enforce your view on people. Isn't it all predetermined? Yeah, yeah I know, God works in mysterious ways, and he wants your money.

Johan, Stockholm, Sweden

Its amazing how people miss the message just to attack religion. I suggest you spend your free time exploring yourself. What if you find out that all your life you attacked the one thing that would save your soul? Would it have been worth it then? Some how I think I know your answer.

Rance, dallas, usa

I think the Pope is right. Sometimes tough love is the best and it's what people really need. I fear that this time it will get worse not better and only those who surrender their lives to God's Will rather than following their own selfish thinking will survive.

Rory, Bromley, kent

Be generous! The only time God says to test him: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows" Malachi 3:10

Stephanie, Dallas, TX, USA

Five years ago, my boss was stealing from the company; I turned him in and quit my job. We were worried about loss of income, but we still gave our 10% at church. Two weeks later, my husband got a bonus check: it was for all but 75 cents of the money I lost. Now I make 3X the $ God is good!

Stephanie, Dallas, TX, USA

What proud ignorance of widely misunderstood Catholicism!
The Pope's empire is not his nor is it of this world, Ionnie. The Pope is not panicking us Pamela, he is comforting us by pointing to more important treasures. Of course Catholics understand that the Bible was written by mortal men, Alexis

Charles , Harrodsburg, USA

No one feeds more poor people than the Catholic Church.

No one cares more sick people than the Catholic Church.

No one educates the less fortunate than the Catholic Church.

Keep this in mind before you attack the Catholic Church.

Joe B., Irvine, California, USA

money is nothing is ifne to speqk out about when you controll such fortunes and wealth! you tell that topopl who seriously have nothign and know money buys security and peace of mind;
a church that sits on Billions can rally lose the plot or feel we all outside must be stupid and scared!

David Thompson, MONTE CARLO,

Interesting comments-come good-some very ignorant. The Church is 2000 years old. Open a history book & learn how it evolved (how all civilized countries are indebted). Ask youself how the Church uses its assetts..For GOOD not for PROFIT. Pope Ben is so intelligent-none of us writing even come close

Chris, Bismarck, USA

If the churches paid taxes like everybody else it might help.

Sam, Irvine, USA

The Vatican, which carries it's vast wealth in pieces of ancient art. When I was in South America, there were nuns and "padres" in every airport and on every flight I took... maybe if they gave up their VAST wealth to cure poverty (very possible) I might take them seriously...

Graeme, Edinburgh,

LOL ..... Look at what he is wearing a cross of gold with precious stones ... and the real fact its probally a precous art object worth 100 K + ... oh yes yes pontif why are you not wearing a simple wooden cross and you have the unmitigate nerve to whine about how the money i have is nothing .

Roger, Las Vegas , USA

"that money vanishes, it is nothing."

Actually they are in this mess by taking on too much bad debt, not money, the owing of money! Giving loans to people with no credit history or tangible assets was madness from the get go.

Graeme, Edinburgh,

I have to agree with the pope that the worlds financial system is built on sand. I would submit that he's not worried one whit, because his empire is built on GOLD and SILVER.

lonnie, Hatch,

Nice of the Pope to Panic the world rather than show that this too shall pass.

Pamela, Washington D.C., USA

How can anyone with a straight face, or a brain, claim that the Bible is the pure "Word of God"? Utter nonsense! The Bible was written by mortal men, who like all of us, had their own prejudices, beliefs and faults. Examine it carefully, you will see that I am right! It's full of mistakes too!

Alexis, Los Angeles, USA

If you want a really nice place in heaven, then continue to give your 10%. Otherwise, You may get a barn instead of a mansion.

Robert Moldenhauer, Kenilworth NJ, USA

In response to the myriad complaints about greedy churches:
If the thought of giving money to a church is offensive, keep your money.
God loves a cheerful giver, and I am positive that there are plenty of them. Keep your paper, someone else will keep the utility bills paid.

Matt, San Antonio, USA

Too Bad he wasn't looking in the mirror when he said be aware of false prophets! The US and Great Britain are in for the free fall of their lives and are on the path to losing it Super power & Then the gov'ts shall turn on religion for false teachings and then the end will come. seek the truth!

armin, california city , usa

I like money. I wish I had more.
I don't care for religious war. I wish we had less.
Jesus said, "LOVE." The rest is fine print that shouldn't be allowed to distract from the main message. And the Pope is by no means the worst hypocrite in organized religion, just another one.

Fred A., Brookfield, USA

"Because your merchants were the great ones of the world, all nations were led astray by your magic potion." Rev 18:23

Lou, CT, US

Frank, the Catholic Church was responsible for bringing that valuable tome to your hands- the bible. Monks spent their lives copying it and translating it for centuries before the printing press, and before Martin Luther.

So what was that again? Your own religion exists only due to the Catholics.

Gregory Scott, Houston, Texas

The Pope is right. Money and credit are the product of make- believe social constructs, what Marx called "fetishization." The value and usefulness of money is completely artificial, and man-made things will always let us down in the end.

Peter Freeman, Pennsylvania, USA

That is so funny. At least sand has substance. What is his empire built on?

Nill, Singapore,

Well, that's certainly some useful, practical economic advice, huh?

Gregg, Alhambra, United States

Howard,
True, there are many treasures that are there in terms of historical art and artifacts, but that is what you get with 2000 years of history.
Oh and selling all the artifacts to distribute wealth? Judas said the same. Notice the pope didn't say money is evil, just when it is misused

George, Naples , USA

I see that anti-Catholic bigotry and hatred are alive and well in the UK, and to some extent in the US too. The Catholic Church carries out enormous charitable work throughout the world.
The Vatican Museum is a museum. There is no more reason to sell its treasures than for the Louvre to do so.

penny scott, dublin and seattle , ROI and US

If money is truly nothing, how come my local church keeps asking for 10% of my income?

And why do they keep passing the collection bowl around every Sunday?

Church Roof! Fix thineself!

P R Haynes, Thunder Bay, Canada

Frank of Falmouth, MA -- Archbishop F. Sheen once said something to the effect, "There aren't 8 people in the world who truly despise the Cath Church, but there are millions of people who hate the Cath Chruch for what they incorrectly believe it to be." Check out Dr. S. Hahn soon - veryinteresting

DG, Carbondale, CO ,

Money is a burden. Let me relieve you of that burden.

Geoffrey, Edinburgh, UK

With the wealth of the Vatican, note I do not say Catholic Church,
stored in it's treasures, self owned banks and vestments I feel the Pope should take a leaf out of Christ's Book and chuck the money changers out of the temple.
Imagine the good that could be done with the wealth. and 'no Religion'.

Howard, Basildon, England

Black is white. War is peace. Superstition is reality.

Freon, Simi Valley, USA

Money is illusion, the chase for fame and profit are an illusion. Problem is, many people are willing to stop at no evil and hurt others in their pursuit. We have a problem of the human heart, nothing more. This is a chance for everyone to find the compassion in their heart.

Chris, Marin County, California, USA

With the wealth the Vatican holds it could house and feed countries entirely . Jesus would be horrified at the churches hirachy plus its accumilation of wealth.I dont believe Jesus's message was to make a wealthy powerful religion on the back of his teachings anyway .Show a humble example Pope.

Adrian, marseille, France

Well, I'm a Protestant and believe ardently that the Catholic Church is a mockery of Christianity, the mutant offspring of politics and religion, however, I agree with the pope on this one. And he didn't say it's bad to have money, just bad to put your trust in money and not in God.

Frank, Falmouth, MA

I disagree with the one who stated "let us give all our money to the Church" I am Catholic and I very rarely hear the priest ask for donations. The Church lets us give what we can no matter how little. They do have a lot of expenses.

Millie, Marshall, Texas, U S A

It's in the Museum and the Vatican, the many, many wonderful treasurers, yes, are worth much and the Church has money but the Catholic Church does provide greatly for the ill, the poor. Catholic Charities in the U.S.A. does wonderful charitible work and they use the money very, very wisely (I know)

Millie, El Cmpo, U.S.A.

I wonder if the Vatican investment funds are shorting any stocks at the moment.

Guy, Bexley,

Alot of the same old stories....

The laity has so many times created the priceless artwork in gratitude for their faith. No priest, no administrator, no Pope owns anything of the Church. The Church's nature is mystical and what it has is shared with the world to enjoy...artwork, education, etc.

Kathleen, Portland, USA

thats what capitalism is all about , its based on greed and wealth we have been waiting for this crisis, I guess it takes socialism to rescue capitalism

joseph, Florida, USA

If it's "built on sand", then why is there a weekly collection during mass services? Why not assume that if faith will pay for itself and that people will come along to do the good lord's work without involving money? Whether you believe or not, sadly, money is as real as it gets.

Adam, State College, USA

This has brightened my day up, what planet is this guy from? I hope he's able to forgive those bankers and now help them out in their hour of need like a good christian should!

Chris Kent, Swansea, United Kingdom

Before september 11, and before the bobming in London and before the tsunami, and even during the time of earthquake and wars, the historical treasure in vatican was there already as God's gift, so don't ask for it

myles, uk,

While I agree with Benedict's statement about money, it is a bit hypocritical coming from a man wearing costly vestiments and adorned with gold and precious stones. The Popes of Rome live a lavish lifestyle while speaking as if they were living as did Mother Theresa. Vatican = billions of $.

Paul , Wisconsin, USA

Great story ... gotta love the publicity he weaves into the church.

But, some may say the church is built on peoples insecurities and feelings of guilt - not really a rock as such ...

David, Sao Paulo, Brazil

The Vatican Museums hold treasures that
historically have not benefited the Catholic Church finacially. These are treasures that the Church ,over the centuries, has has preserved for the whole of humanity to enjoy and made available to scholars of all disciplines.

Jim Rocha, Little Compton, USA

Isn't the vatican worth Trillions of dollars? lol.

bob, Pittsburgh, USA

The Vatican City owns the IOR which is one of the world's most powerful banks. It operates with very high capitals and with good secrecy. It has every refused to subscribe any agreement to fight money laundering. You can search wikipedia for IOR and translate with some online service.

Clark, Rome, Italy

He is speaking the truth and it's a truth that many do not want to hear. I am not Catholic and disagree with many of their beliefs, but he is not speaking solely for the Catholic church in this situation, he is speaking the word of God.

Rob, Atlanta, USA

Yes, the Vatican is rich in historical treasures. But its operating budget and cash holdings pale beside many major corporations and universities. The Church is also the largest charitable org. in the world.

"And how much is the Vatican worth again? ... The words Black, Pot and Kettle..."

james, milwaukee,

The Pope is smart. He invested in giant gold crosses and jewels.

Shawn, Seattle, USA

So far as sand and rock go, all those mocking the pope should probably realize that the Church was here long before, and will be here long after the stock market has come and gone.

That's called building on a rock.

Chris, Chicago, USA

The Vatican Museum alone is the grandest Sand castle of them all. How much did his sunglasses cost last year? $2000 maybe.

Marty, Houston, USA

This isn't about money people, this is about people converting from thier wickedness to obey and love god. I know you want to read this as a slight by the pope but it isn't. He is just trying to tell you that the world cannot continue on this path and survive . GOD Is the only true path.

Lynn Wimsatt, lebanon, usa

we should we all put a few grains of sand in the collection baskets for a month or two and then see what the Pope says.

Stan Swiderski, Hollywood, Florida, USA

The Holy Father is just repeating the words of Jesus. Of course it in intelligible to atheists and "in name only" Christians.

He is reminding us to be aware of how much emphasis we give to money. After all like the saying goes...You can't take it with you!

Oscar Gonzalez, Austin, USA

And how much is the Vatican worth again? How many billions does it have invested in this "castle built on sand"? The words Black, Pot and Kettle come to mind.
Let us prey. Amen.

Arthur Trewth., London, UK

Yes, let's give all our money to the Church. I know the Pope, like any celebrity, thrives on getting his name into the news, but this is absurd. Since he has super powers, why didn't he tell us all about the housing bubble/credit crisis before it happened?

David St. Hubbin, Squatney, UK