Pope Francis’ speech causes needed controversy
Graphic by Luke Weisbrod
January 12, 2014
Pope Francis of the Catholic Church recently gave a speech on the tyranny of capitalism. The speech itself is 84 pages long. The speech voiced the Pope’s opinion on issues such as the rich and the poor. Finally, a pope with common sense.
Pope Francis believes a redistribution of wealth is necessary, and there should be no “rich” or “poor”. The economy seems to be making the rich richer, and the poor poorer.
In his speech, Francis said, “As long as the problems of the poor are not radically resolved by rejecting the absolute anatomy of markets and financial speculation and by attacking the structural causes of inequality, no solution will be found for the world’s problems or, for that matter, to any problems.”
Francis is very liberal compared to others, and seems to be more confined to what he personally believes than the traditional beliefs set aside for him. He urges world leaders to fight poverty and inequality.
“Money must serve, not rule,” said the Pope. “I exhort you to generous solidarity and to the return of economics and finance to an ethical approach which favors human beings.”
This is not the first time the Pope has tested the boundaries of the Catholic Church. The Pope accused the church of focusing too much on what it considers to be wrong in the world, such as abortion, contraception, and homosexuality. Francis disagrees with the views of the church, truly believing people should be treated equally. He even thinks the church has trouble balancing political and spiritual matters.
“The church has sometimes locked itself up in small things, in small-minded rules,” he said.
Francis is the first Pope to approve of homosexuals, once again causing quite a bit of controversy. This is a Pope who is not afraid to say what needs to be said. Francis revealed his opinion with one incredibly simple and compelling phrase.
“Who am I to judge?”
The Pope believes in rights for everyone; rich or poor, gay or straight, male or female, young, or old. Fairness and equality are essential to a peaceful world, it seems like common sense. Pope Francis seems to be the only one putting a voice to it.
Ryan Burger • Feb 19, 2014 at 3:53 am
I’ve found Pope Francis to be an interesting person, and this article was a great way to learn more about him. Well done and great perspective!
Sydney Spreck • Feb 19, 2014 at 12:55 am
I’m glad to read something about the policies of this new Pope. What he is doing is very important to reforming the Catholic Church and improving the way the world views it. Nevertheless, I doubt his proposition for a redistribution of wealth will go far, at least not in America, since we don’t take to kindly to socialism. But overall this article was very well-written and well-thought out, good job.