I see lots of criticism directed at the Vatican and very few comments praising its work. This incident of a spoiled crazy violent American a-hole destroying two sculptures because a museum official didn’t get him a meeting with the Pope reminds me of the unique role that the Roman Catholic Church has played.
This institution paid the best
Artists
Architects
Painters
Musicians
Woodworkers
Incense makers
And many more
Over the last two thousand years to do their best work and then preserved these treasures of human creativity in little worlds that are open, for the most part, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so that anyone in the public can walk inside and find a clean, nicely lit environment and sit and pray and contemplate the art and sometimes live music and feel a connecting thread to the last two thousand years.
No other institution has done this.
In addition, these same people feed more people than any other institution, heal more people than any other institution, and educate more people than any other institution.
It’s one of the great experiences of life to be in Rome for one to three months and go to a different basilica, cathedral, or church every day and night and see how much has been preserved against the ravages of time and entropy.
All accessible to everyone.
Unless Americans destroy more stuff because they can’t meet the Pope, in which case the public access will be reduced.