Bishop in Trouble for $42M House

A German bishop has been called to the principal's office after his exorbitant spending. Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst—or the "Luxury Bishop" as the BBC calls him—is under fire for spending $42 million on his house and then lying about it. Some have called for him to resign. Now he's at the Vatican (where he reportedly flew via "budget airline") to meet with Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, and possibly even Pope Francis, who has urged Church leaders to live modestly.

"The bishop has made it clear that any decision about his service as a bishop lies in the hands of the Holy Father (Pope Francis)," says a statement from the diocese. "The bishop is saddened by the escalation of the current discussion. He sees and regrets that many believers are suffering under the current situation." The bishop is also accused of flying business class on a trip to visit poor children in India. (More Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst stories.)