ROME.– The holidays are just around the corner, but in the clergy’s house in Via della Scrofa there is no Christmas spirit, the residence of the Vatican clergy in the historic center of Rome, where he stayed Jorge Bergoglio when I traveled to this capital. The Palazzo Historic, located in an unbeatable location, just a few blocks from Piazza Navona and a few meters from the Church of Saint Louis the French (where Caravaggio’s paintings are admired), he achieved world fame when he was re-elected on March 14, 2013. Francis He went to pay the bill for his stay.
That means too Domus Internationalis Paul VI – because it was like that Saint Paul VI who decided in 1976 to found this house, which will serve to accommodate priests, bishops and lay people who live in or reside in Rome, is now once again a topic of conversation. In what appears to be a new controversy full of intrigue – and a hot topic Pope Leo XIV–, The priest’s house is about to close its doors. And for the eviction of its permanent residents according to the decision of its authorities, according to the findings THE NATION.
As the Portuguese monsignor told them Mario Rui Fernandes Leite de Oliveira in a recent meeting with several of its fifty residents – including two cardinals, two bishops and five Argentine prelates – due to alleged “security problems” as well as the need to put the building in order and the lack of funds in the Vatican for these renovations, He Palazzo It will be leased to the highest bidder for 30 yearswhich will begin multi-million dollar restructuring work to turn it into a hotel.
“With the Holy Father Francis It was decided that a five-star hotel was not possible for credibility and image reasons. So it will be a four star hotel” Leite de Olivera reportedly said during the meeting. The phrase caused great confusion: Pope Francis has always distinguished himself by insulting those monasteries or monasteries that become five-star hotels. instead of opening up to the poor and migrants.
Leite de Olivera explained that thanks to this investment from between 50 and 60 million euros and the future lease for 30 years to a company that will be responsible for the project, The Holy See receives 5 million euros per year. And he asked the fifty residents to share as quickly as possible where they would most like to move. There are two options: the Domus Santa Marta (the hotel also in the Vatican where Francis lived) or the Domus Traspontina.
Some residents now suspect that there is something unclear behind this future great thing that is to be sealed with the clergy house on Via della Scrofa. In fact, there has been talk of a future closure of the residence and various projects for a long time.
On July 15, the residents of the Clergy House wrote a letter to Pope Leo XIV to express your discomfort due to the absolute uncertainty. In this letter that he had access to THE NATIONThey asked the Pope that the Domus Internationalis continue to be a house for priests from all over the world and in the service of the Holy See, as stated in its founding statutes.
“This was originally the will of Saint Paul II, recently confirmed by Pope Francis in the Statute Domus Vaticanaeof May 5, 2022,” they remind in the letter. In addition, they asked him not to have to leave the building during “the possible renovation work.”
The big surprise was when they received a reply from the Pope dated July 31st, to which they also had access. THE NATION. Friendly but firm in the letter Leo XIV confirmed that they had to leave the clergy’s house Since the building urgently needed to be renovated for 20 million euros, an investment that was too “burdensome” for the Holy See, a rental project was examined.
“I urge you to experience the move as a necessity that is certainly not pleasant and will inevitably bring inconveniences, but I hope you can face this with a spirit of adjustment and mutual understanding“, wrote.
But several residents are convinced that there really is something hidden behind this letter – which bears a digital signature from the Pope a “spirit” group led by the President of the Domus Vaticanae, Monsignor Andrea RipaSecretary of the Apostolic Signatura, together with other prelates, including the already mentioned Monsignor Leite de Oliveira, chancellor of the same court, as well as the administrator of the Domus, Maurizio Cennamo.
Indeed, they find it difficult to believe that the Pope has given the green light to a project that, in their opinion, contradicts his ecclesial and pastoral vision, which centers on faith and truth. They also think about it that the lack of security is more of an excuse to justify closure and to hide the true intentions of the project’s mentors: big business.
With enormous historical value on its back, The origins of the clergy house in Via della Scrofa date back to the Renaissancewhen the German-Hungarian School was founded Saint Ignatius of Loyola in 1573, as a plaque at the entrance shows. Rebuilt in 1776 with the current facade, not only did the future Argentine pope reside in this building, but also Angelo Roncalli, John XXIII (1958-63).
At Christmas time, the clergy’s house usually placed a beautiful life-size nativity scene in its courtyard. This year, a true reflection of a climate of unrestthat the birth of Christ is conspicuous by its absence.
“In the Church, money is not an end in itself, but must be used according to a pastoral vision in the service of the Gospel.” Closing a priest’s house and turning it into a hotel seems absurd and a management of material goods in complete discordance with the pastoral vision that the Church must have from its founder,” commented a source who preferred anonymity and did not hide his enormous bitterness.
About The Author
