Vatican: McDonald’s has opened

A McDonald’s restaurant opened on December 30, 2016, a few steps from the entrance into Vatican City. Last October, several cardinals spoke out against renting out part of the building owned by the APSA, that manages the Vatican’s real estate, to the American fast food giant. The prelates denounced “a perverse and controversial decision at the very least” (see DICI no.343 Oct. 28, 2016).

According to the newspaper La Croix on January 12, 2017, the board of directors has promised to give away a thousand meals every week to the homeless around the Vatican. In connection with the Office of Papal Charities, the restaurant has signed an agreement with the association Medicina Solidale, that offers medical care to the homeless of the Italian capital. The first distribution took place on January 16: a double cheeseburger, fresh apple slices and a bottle of water.

The Holy See should make a monthly 30,000€ off the fast food restaurant. The money will be used to finance the Church’s mission in Oceania.

(source: cath.ch/Lacroix/imedia – DICI no.348 dated Jan. 20, 2017)