Steps from the Vatican: A McDonald’s outlet opens for business
Some Catholics denounce decision to do business with fast food chain
The historic arches of St. Peter’s Basilica have a new neighbour: McDonald’s golden arches.
The fast-food chain opened a restaurant around the corner from St. Peter’s Square, on the ground floor of a Vatican-owned building. According to McDonald’s Italy website, the new location offers WiFi, accommodates birthday parties and serves the “Sweety,” a burger bun filled with Nutella.
But not all are rushing to get their fill of Big Macs and McChicken sandwiches. A number of Roman Catholic leaders and local residents have spoken out publicly against the Vatican’s decision to do business with McDonald’s.
“It’s a controversial, perverse decision to say the least,” Cardinal Elio Sgreccia was quoted as saying to La Repubblica. “Instead of a Golden Arches near the heart of the Roman Catholic Church, the space should be used to house entities which help the needy, in line with the pope’s call for a ‘poor church for the poor.’”
The fast-food chain is renting the 1,765-square-foot space from the Vatican for about US$31,000 a month, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica. A number of cardinals live in the apartment building where the restaurant is located.