Slow down--I didn't address those. I'm not here to defend the business practices of the modern church, but thousands of tourists going through historic buildings day in and day out creates wear and tear, and they're probably attempting to pay for the upkeep.

Pope-themed souvenirs are there because people want to buy them. Like it or not, the Pope isn't just the bishop of Rome, he's also a global figure with followers who look up to him. It's good to remember that there is often a tension between the ideal religious practices of a community, and the actual practices which are the result of people being people. And people, as we all know, ruin everything. :-)

(Note: I'm not Catholic, but I've been around a bit. I'm actually a lapsed Orthodox person.)