ADVERTISEMENTFancy a punt at the post office? At the Vatican ten euros gives the chance to win a new four-wheel-drive Fiat Panda, or failing that, a Panama hat or an espresso coffee machine.
All were gifts to Pope Francis and now he’s donating them as raffle prizes to raise money for the poor.
“Well, it’s a wonderful thing if the pope’s going to be giving a raffle. I think it’s a wonderful thing, somebody in the public will get something out of it so it’s excellent,” said Barbara Schonfeld, a tourist from the United States.
“I think it’s a good idea, especially because it will help to raise money for the charitable work of the Vatican. Not everyone has the chance to own such beautiful souvenirs from the pope,” added Cuban tourist Marilena Ortega.
A Vatican spokesman said the raffle was a response to the pope’s appeal for new forms of solidarity.
He recently ordered shower stalls to be built around the Vatican for homeless people.
The winning tickets will be announced on January 8.