I think to burden of proof is on you, as one can not prove a negative. Were the Church, or Pope for that matter, to have access to untold wealth, what have they done with it? Or, what would they do with it?
What next, the Whore of Babylon? We're heard it before, so cough it up and show your true colors.
Michelangelo's paintings in the Sistine Chapel, not to mention Bernini's baldacchino in Saint Peter's and other extremely valuable art owned by the Vatican, are not for sale. This artwork will remain for the greater glory of God, and they are available for viewing by every humble man or woman who wishes to view them.
Isn't it tiresome how the Catholic Bashers crawl out every time there is a newsworthy article posted on FR about the Vatican?
>> what have they done with it?
There never seems to be a shortage of funds with which to pay off the victims of pedophile priests. The amounts would bankrupt any ordinary corporation (ref: Dow Corning and breast implants). Do you really want to go there?
Whatever the catholics want to do, or build, or wherever they want to go, it happens. Where does all that dough come from?
Similarly, that tight vatican budget is an accounting artifact. They’re a little over this year, a little behind last year... overall, they have enough. If the vatican ever needed a big infusion of dough, the call would go out to the bishops worldwide... and the money would appear. Prove it ain’t so.