Opulence on a grand scale

The sheer scale of religious antiquity and artefact and wealth us astounding. All across this museum of a city is an opulence on a scale not replicated anywhere that I've seen. Even the Basilicas of Paris or the cathedrals if London don't compare. The wealth is poignantly contrast to the level of corresponding poverty though and so often right at the door. Such religious wealth seems obscene when there are, what seem to be supporters of the faith, with nothing, that appear to be actively discouraged from taking shelter or solice within the confines of the church. What of Rome does the church own? Or rather easier to answer what of Rome not held by the church? The City is one that is at odds with itself. The wealth and opulence and yet the machinations of the city almost seem to be at breaking point. The escalators only just work. The buses sound like the wheels are about to fall off. The Parks are unkempt. It's one big handyman's nightmare. And yet the church has so much and there is so much of it.

There is more to this opulence when you scratch the surface. The below shots are within St Peter's Basilica inside the Vatican.  

 

Then there is the Pantheon where select matyrs are buried such as Raphael the artist and the last Queen of Italy-Catherine Savoie, or was it Marguerite, whatever!!