It will cost you $6,000 a night to see the Pope in Philadelphia

The Telegraph

The American entrepreneurial spirit sends prices booming for Pope Francis, who is known for his love of the simple life and frequently rails against the perils of capitalism.

Pope Francis may have eschewed worldly wealth and described the pursuit of money as the “dung of the devil”, but that has not stopped residents of Philadelphia cashing in on a forthcoming Papal visit.

Locals are letting their apartments on airbnb for as much as $6000 (£3840) for a single night to the visiting faithful.

“I created the account for the Pope's visit,” said one apartment owner who has advertised his two-bedroom home for $5500. “It's easy money.”

The airbnb website is awash with new listings in Philadelphia for visitors keen to catch a glimpse of the pope during his visit in September - his first to the US. Properties are being advertised as “perfect for Papal visit” or “five minutes' walk from the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul”.

The city's population will effectively double in size for the weekend, with some 1.5 million people expected to attend a public mass at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sunday September 27.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11745257/Airbnb-hosts-ratchet-prices-to-6000-a-night-for-Papal-visit-to-Philadelphia.html