“How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses 2 points?” – Pope Francis (1)
On Tuesday, Pope Francis delivered a sharp rebuke of unfettered capitalism as “idolatry of money” that will lead to “a new tyranny.” (2) His language was specifically directed at those in the United States who continue to defend “trickle-down economics,” which he said “has never been confirmed by the facts, [and] expresses a crude and naive trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power.”
“Meanwhile,” he said, “the excluded are still waiting.”
President Obama said he was “hugely impressed with the pope’s pronouncements.” Nevertheless, on Wednesday, the US announced it will close its Vatican embassy as a “cost saving measure.” (3) The seven embassy staffers will be retained, just moved beyond the borders of Vatican City, which is the world’s smallest sovereign nation.
Republican senators, many of whom still advocate the trickle-down policies the pope condemned, were quick to denounce the administration’s move as “a slap in the face to Catholic Americans around the country.”
Though I’m not a Catholic, I find myself deeply grateful on this day of thanks, for the current Vicar of Christ. When politicians of all persuasions spend most of their time defending an increasingly dysfunctional status quo, it is refreshing and marvelous to find a world leader willing to speak the truth.
The First Gates 
Well said!
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Reblogged this on Holland Traveler .Me and commented:
How can it be that a homeless elderly person dies and it is not considered news? Maybe it is not news, but he or she is worth being mentioned!
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Thanks for passing this on!
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Frankly I was very surprised to hear about this, I have been thinking that this Pope was a bit different from previous ones in that he actually washed the feet of women. This has been a long time coming, and I new have hope that Pope Francis change the image of the Church to a more loving and caring entity.
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From all I hear, choosing the name of St. Francis reflects what he is trying to be about. I’m hopeful as well
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hi Morgan, i am woefully behind on catching up to your stuff, but have some free time to read and always appreciate yours. i agree, i am very impressed with the new Vicar of Christ. humility and humanity seems to have been missing from the fabric of religion for some time now.
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I’m woefully behind on catching up on way too many blogs myself. I just got this week’s Time Magazine with Francis on the cover as Person of the Year. It seems to me like an excellent choice and I look forward to reading the article.
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thank you for the heads up! i don’t subscribe, but will stop in town tomorrow to pick up a copy. excellent choice!!
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