Pope Francis Displeased By Sumptuous Canonization Banquet Which Reportedly Cost $25,000

Pope Francis Indignant About $25,000 Canonization Buffet
Pope Francis launches the General Assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference on May 19, 2014 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO (Photo credit should read ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images)
Pope Francis launches the General Assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference on May 19, 2014 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO (Photo credit should read ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images)

The recent canonization of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II were cause for celebration amongst the global Catholic Church.

But not this kind of celebration.

A canonization banquet held on the veranda of the Vatican Prefecture for Economic Affairs reportedly cost $25,000, drawing the ire of Pope Francis, who has repeatedly emphasized the need for "a poor church, and church for the poor."

The VIP buffet was funded by private sponsors, reports Catholic News Agency, but the tone of the event was not in line with the pope's vision of what the church should be.

Cardinal Guiseppe Versaldi told Italia 1 on television, “I can’t reveal what he said [the Pope.] I informed him about it and I can only say that he was not pleased, so to speak. But I can assure you that these incidents will not happen again."

Pilgrims from all over the world travelled long distances to attend the canonization, some even sleeping on the street the rainy night before the events, reports Aleteia. Their simple devotion stood in stark contrast to the luxurious event enjoyed by high-ups in the church, media, and business world. Some 150 people reportedly attended.

“Like many of you, I was also surprised and outraged by this. I have immediately begun the search for an explanation, which is still in progress, and I have informed all of the chief authorities in order to try to find the person responsible for all of this, which clashes with the spirit of a canonization and especially with the style Pope Francis wanted for this celebration, one of sobriety and participation by the people,” Cardinal Versaldi added, according to CNA.

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