McDonald’s at the Vatican Comes with a Side of “Not Lovin’ it”

By Elisa Meyer --
19 Oct 2016 --

Cardinals oppose a McDonald’s restaurant planning to open at the Vatican.

Trouble is brewing in Vatican City over a plan to rent an empty space in a Vatican owned building to McDonald's. This plan has been opposed heavily by cardinals who feel the presence of the fast food restaurant in the iconic location would mar its architectural and historical beauty. However, the cardinal in charge of the project is undaunted by the criticism and has announced his decision to go ahead with the plan anyway.

McDonald’s at the Vatican Comes with a Side of “Not Lovin’ it”[/tweetthis]

The Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), which administers the Vatican's assets will be renting the space to the fast food chain for 30,000 Euros ($33,000) a month. The space was vacant for a long time, even though several businesses were interested in it. This McDonald's will be around the corner from St. Peter's Basilica, at the intersection of Rome's Via del Mascherino and Via Borgo Pio.

New to Vatican > @McDonalds
Wonder what they serve on Friday's? & If @Pontifex would ever patronize?
— FartingDuck (@FartingDuck) October 16, 2016

Although the APSA believes it has made the right choice by giving the space to McDonald's, other cardinals have a very different opinion. President Emeritus of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Cardinal Elio Sgreccia, called the plan a “controversial and perverse decision.” He thinks having a McDonald’s restaurant so close to the Vatican “is not at all respectful of the architectural and urban traditions of one of the most characteristic squares overlooking the colonnade of St. Peter.”

There's a chance McDonald's could have an outlet at the Vatican. The idea is proving to be an unpopeular one. #McChrist
— Joakim Gomez (@JoakimGomez) October 16, 2016

The cardinal expressed his worries over the health issues of McDonald's menu as “a hazard,” therefore, the restaurant shouldn’t be considered for Vatican property.

Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, the president of the APSA responded criticism saying, “everything was done “in respect of the law and that there will be nothing done which will go against the current rules, tradition and interests of the Holy See.”