Pope: I knew good Marxists; label doesn’t hurt me

[Douglas Carpenter]

By Associated Press, Published: December 15

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is shrugging off the “Marxist” label that some ultra-conservatives might apply to him because he frets that economic growth doesn’t always help the poor.

In an interview with Italian daily La Stampa published on Sunday, Francis is quoted as saying: “Marxist ideology is wrong.” But the Argentina-born pontiff added he has “known many Marxists who were good persons, and that’s why I don’t feel offended” by the label.

He also mentioned that at a recent public audience at the Vatican he told a mother whose baby was crying but who was ashamed to nurse in the pope’s presence: “Please feed him!” He said he wants to tell all humanity to feed the hungry.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/pope-i-knew-good-marxists-label-doesnt-hurt-me/2013/12/15/69c68044-658e-11e3-997b-9213b17dac97_story.html

[Laelth]

1. k&r for Pope Francis. n/t

-Laelth

[66 dmhlt]

2. Liking this Pope more and more ...

[lillypaddle]

3. Never thought

I'd feel this kindly toward a pope. How refreshing he is.

[geckosfeet]

7. I agree. First one in 40 years.... I think Pope John the XXIII was ok

but no where near where this guy is going. Refreshing, non-denominational and encouraging spirituality.

[Kber]

4. Once there was a crying baby while my rabbi was delivering a sermon

The mother got up to leave and my rabbi called out for her to stay, saying that the crying baby wasn't bothering him.

She replied, "I appreciate that, but I think you are bothering her!"

[LAGC]

6. ...

[loyalsister]

5. Words I never imagined I would utter

Pope Francis ROCKS!

[jsr]

8. The Pope didn't have to dignify trash talk from a drug-addled gasbag

But I'm glad he said something. Props to Francis.

[madashelltoo]

9. I Love this Pope!

And, no, I am not Cathoilic.

[Lobo27]

10. He better have a food taster or make his own food at this point...

“When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.”
― Hélder Câmara, Dom Helder Camara: Essential Writings

(Catholic Archbishop of Olinda and Recife, Brazil, serving from 1964 to 1985.)

[FairWinds]

11. I too have known Marxists who were good persons . .

Many of them have made huge personal sacrifices to make the
world a better place.
But the pope is going to learn that it is not politically correct
to speak of Marxists as if they were human beings.
Watch the Righties throw a hissy-fit over this.
Hang in there Francis !!

[Douglas Carpenter]

12. one good kick

[Kingofalldems]

13. Pope to republicans: I know you are but what am I?

[LittleBlue]

14. Wish our leaders had his courage

Francis just gives a big ol' FU to right-wing pricks. He just doesn't give them the time of day.

It's like, any criticism of Democrats have them scrambling for cover.