This is more true that you can imagine, the Vatican being disgustingly rich that is.
For example: Saint Peters church has zero painted murals on it's interior walls. Instead they are -all- done in semi-precious stones..
An impossibly beautiful building but knowing that all those centuries of riches went to coating walls with gems instead of say feeding the poor was hard to swallow when we visited Some apples/oranges going on sure but man.. The Vatican complex should be on everyone's life lists imho.
Seeing the Laocoon and La Pieta gave me super art woodies.
Won a Geeks who Drink trivia night with a question regarding the school of Athens piece. It's my favorite of the Renaissance. Tells a very compelling story between philosophy and religion.