A branch of the fast-food chain McDonald's has opened in Vatican City, the seat of the Catholic Church, despite protests from residents and cardinals.
The branch opened in a building belonging to the Holy See that rented out rooms to the US giant just metres from St Peter's Square.
Cardinals also expressed their outrage in comments to Italian media.
Pope emeritus Benedict XVI lived just a stone's throw from where the fast-food outlet is now situated before he was elevated to the papacy.
Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Gerhard Ludwig Mueller now lives in the building in the Borgo Pio district of Rome.
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Critics said the Catholic Church should have set up a social centre in the rooms rather than allowing burger flippers to operate there.
The Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, which oversees the assets of the Vatican, said it could not understand the commotion.
McDonald's has not commented on the criticism.
