In the 1700 years since Constantine transferred the powers of the chief priest of Rome, the Pontifex Maximus, no Bishop or Rome has shown that he can use the Church’s wealth as, I presume, a good Jesus would have done .. for charity.
This Pontifex Maximus has a chance now to show that he is more than a PR stunt. Surely the Vatican has the finds to focus relief on the Philippines?
What if the Pope made the first gesture .. selling off even a few of the Church’s 24 karat gold sacramental objects or sending some red robed cardinal as the Pope’s emissary to wash feet and feed the hungry with money from the Vatican bank?