Pope Francis is asking the diocese of Rome to help alleviate a growing housing crisis in the Eternal City. Francis wants any available church properties to be used for the homeless or those facing possible eviction because of rising rents.
FILE - Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter’s Square on the occasion of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. ROME — Pope Francis on Friday called on the diocese of Rome to respond to a growing housing crisis in the Eternal City, wading into the debate about rising rental prices that has only grown more acute with Holy Year celebrations in 2025.
Francis has written to the city’s church leaders and religious order priests for any available church properties to be used for the homeless or residents facing possible eviction because of rising rents. The letter reflected something of the paradox facing the Vatican: Francis’ yearlong jubilee is expected to bring more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome to celebrate the Holy Year. That has had the predictable effect of driving up demand for short-term apartment rentals, particularly near the Vatican.
That demand, in turn, has only accelerated the trend of local residents moving out or being priced out as owners turn their properties over to short-term property agents, such as Airbnb and other platforms that cater to tourists. It’s a trend that is happening in other Italian cities,In his letter, Francis noted that Rome’s Catholic institutions were preparing to provide shelter to millions of pilgrims for the jubilee.
The Catholic Church is a major property owner in Rome, with a portfolio including commercial and residential real estate as well as church-owned convents and monasteries.
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