Pope Francis: Christmas 'hostage to materialism'

[brooklynite]

Source: BBC

Pope Francis has said that the true meaning of Christmas is being drowned out by materialism.

During a high-security Christmas Mass at the Vatican, the head of the Roman Catholic Church also denounced the continuing suffering of children.

He mentioned those who faced hunger, danger on migration routes and bombing in Syrian cities such as Aleppo.

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38429388

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[msongs]

1. so maybe the pope should should the vatican silver and art and quit being so materialistic nt

[wisteria]

2. This Pope is not materialistic.

He is a Jesuit.

[wisteria]

3. This Pope is not materialistic.

He is a Jesuit.

[mobeau69]

6. Maybe not.

A couple of questions first.

Should all art museums put their artwork up for sale to the highest bidder for charity? Should all federal parks be put on the auction block to developers for charity? I'm sure people like Donalddickarnold would buy works like the Pieta for their own private collections or real estate like Yosemite to develop. Right now you can go to Vatican City and view the priceless work anytime you want. It is open to the public. You can spend a week camping and hiking in the Grand Canyon anytime you want. It is open to the public. If these pieces and places were split up and sold to the highest bidders for their own personal pleasure it would be a loss to all mankind.

There are a lot of other very complex aspects and consequences to your suggestion that can't be delved into in a forum like DU. It's the problem of the bumper sticker slogan versus a nuanced explanation.

[tenorly]

8. Exactly. They'd only end up in Saudi palaces, Russian dachas, and Fifth Avenue penthouses.

For anyone who hasn't visited the Vatican Museum, please add it to your bucket list. The line can be blocks long, so get there early and bring your patience.

Very much worth the wait though.

[bekkilyn]

7. Pope Francis does not own these things. They are not his to discard.

And in any case, he is right. The entire holiday season is practically ruined by materialism and greed, regardless of faith. More suicides, more deaths, more stress, and for what? So people can have catfights in Wal-Mart over some cheap toy made in China? Our entire culture feeds this disease of consumerism, so I don't expect it will change anytime soon without some major catastrophe, but still doesn't mean the Pope is wrong.

[inanna]

9. I would recommend your reply

a thousand times IF I could.



Well said.

[vlakitti]

4. I cannot imagine anyone trashing Pope Francis

This way. He spoke up for refugees as he always does, and for all the victims of crass capitalism and war.

What the hell do you want from this man??

[Crash2Parties]

11. It'd be nice if he'd stop saying LGBT people are a threat to humanity.

[zippythepinhead]

5. I attended a catholic school for the first 7 years of my life

I was not brainwashed by their dogma.

It's not influenced by Jesus Christ's teaching but by false dogma and deception.

PopeFrancis is a real christian, though. He does not stand a chance against the bejeweled worshipers of mammon at the vatican.

[ManiacJoe]

10. It would seem that the Catholic Church was not as successful

in taking over the pagan celebration of the winter solstice as they had hoped to be way back when.

[ucrdem]

12. It's another Pope Francis Christmas, Charlie Brown