This is not directed at you, Pyro7480, I just didn’t know the most suitable place to post this.
I am curious about the huge sums of money spent on the RC pope’s security (I say, RC pope, becaue he is not my pope. I have no pope or any religious “father” on this earth. I have one Heavenly Father and am told not to call any man on earth “father” in the sense of spiritual leadership).
I saw a figure many years ago during one trip to the USA by a previous RC pope, and it was staggering (thouh it’s been too long to recall the exact figure now). I haven’t seen any published figures lately.
Who pays for the police security, escorts, and so forth? Does the Vatican reimburse the police agencies and other government agencies involved, or is this at taxpayer expense?
The question is a valid one, I believe.
The Archdiocese of Washington is spending $2 million, security included. Of course, any foreign dignitary gets Secret Service protection, so it really doesn’t matter. The President isn’t going to reject a request from any foreign leader who has good relations with the U.S. to come visit, let alone a spiritual leader of a billion.
The taxpayer undoubtedly funds part of it. It's money well spent, in my opinion.
There is no figure on the world stage with more gravitas in the fight against secularism, hedonism, paganism and atheism than the Pope. The previous incumbent, John Paul II, for instance, played an enormous role in the downfall of one of this country's main antagonists; the Soviet Union and the communism empire in Eastern Europe, so I'd say you're getting a rather good return on your taxpayer dollar here.
Furthermore, when it comes to spending tax dollars on unworthy causes, Planned Parenthood, public education and worthless handouts to welfare addicts are probably more worthy of your ire.
Catholics pay taxes too. If there was a little box on our tax returns which said "check if you wish to contribute to the Pope's security" would that make you feel better? Heaven forbid that any of your money go to keep a Catholic safe.
One of the federal government's main jobs is to conduct diplomacy - which obviously involves providing security to foreign heads of state who visit the US.
Moreover, the cost of security is a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of money that will be embezzled from Medicare during the course of the Pope's visit.
In other words, to raise the question is to strain at a gnat while swallowing a camel.
Who pays for it when the President visits the Vatican? I’m sure it’s the Italians, for the most part. The Vatican has its own security force.
Whether or not you believe the government should be paying for extra security for the pope is immaterial, because, the fact is, people want to see him, and he is a magnet for terrorism. The alternative is to deny him entry, but, that would make us no better than China.
On the other hand, as I believe the Pope is truly Christ’s vicar, what he brings by gracing our terra firma more than pays for the extra security outlay. Non-Catholics might disagree on that point.
The question is a valid one, I believe.
Did you ask this same question when other heads of state have come to visit? Tony Blair, Margaret Thatcher etc... How about when Bush went to Africa, or even to Visit the Pope, did you ask then?
I think mine is just as valid as yours