In his inaugural speech, Pope calls for defense of the poor, the weak and the environment

[cali]

Pope Francis inaugurated his papacy on Tuesday with an address calling for the defense of the weakest in society and of the environment, saying that otherwise the way was opened to death and destruction.

Addressing an estimated 200,000 people and many foreign leaders gathered under bright sunshine in St. Peter's Square, the Argentine pope underlined his constant message since he was elected by a secret conclave of cardinals last Wednesday - that the Church's mission was to defend the poor and disadvantaged.


In line with this message, the Mass on the steps of the giant St. Peter's Basilica was simpler than the baroque splendor of his predecessor Benedict's inauguration in 2005.

The Church's mission "means respecting each of God's creatures and respecting the environment in which we live. It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about", he said in the homily.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/19/us-pope-idUSBRE92D05P20130319

[pnwmom]

1. I was expecting his remarks on the poor -- but pleasantly surprised with his emphasis

on the environment as well. I hope this truly becomes the mark of his papacy.

[bowens43]

2. the pope calling for the defense of the poor, the weak and the environment

has about the same effect as me calling for it.....

[pnwmom]

4. I assume you feel the same way when Popes make statements

that you disagree with -- such as about human sexuality.

[Bluenorthwest]

10. And there it is.

All of these threads are code messages about 'teh gay'. The subtext is so clear in this OP, and how quickly did the crap get blurted.

[pnwmom]

13. Yeah, tell that to all the gay Catholics out there,

including my father's partner, who is a member of a gay-friendly parish (that had a gay pastor till he voluntarily left to minister to HIV patients).

There isn't anything worthwhile in the Church at all and anyone who is happy to hear what Francis said about the poor and the environment must be a homophobe.



Or tell it to this guy:

http://queeringthechurch.com/about/

[cali]

5. right. because you can gather a crowd of a 200,000 people at the drop of a hat, right?

Because hundreds of millions tune in when you speak.

Yikes, you sound delusional in your claim that the Pope has no more impact than you.

[Bluenorthwest]

3. General Discussion: Statement of Purpose:

Discuss politics, issues, and current events. No posts about Israel/Palestine, religion, guns, showbiz, or sports unless there is really big news.

This is a story about religion, a religious leader that holds many DU members in contempt, people whom he hates because of his religion.
To those who are not Catholic, there is no difference between Francis and Fred Phelps. Celebrate him as you wish, but it sends a nasty signal to the minority groups Francis says are agents of satan.

[cali]

6. I'm not Catholic, hon. Piss poor assumption there.

And why don't you alert? Oh, you probably already have.

Sorry, this is top of the fold news. Don't like it? Tough. Too bad.

and no, this most certainly does not send a nasty signal. YOU on the other hand with that post.....

[Bluenorthwest]

9. I did not say you are Catholic, I said you celebrate this man.

I don't alert. So speaking of piss poor actual assumptions....

The fact that some want to post constantly about a bigoted religious leaders is their choice. It sends a message, and if you don't know that that's your own lack of empathy and vision to blame.

It would be nice to see DU be about politics, not about religion and anti gay, anti choice public speakers. I think the GD rules about 'no religion' are there for a reason, religion is often expressed as it is by Francis or Phelps as hate toward others. Francis says we gay people are Satan's work. But by all means, post away, it is very inclusive to do so. It means nothing bad at all to celebrate a man who says such things, in front of those he said them about. No message there, of course not!

[cali]

16. I do not celebrate him, genius. I was, as it happens, the first person here

to post the story about him and Argentina's dirty war. I posted a news story about him. And yes, this is about politics.

[reformist2]

7. What the Pope says often has political implications, so his remarks are relevant to all.

[Bluenorthwest]

11. Can you offer actual examples of a Pope's political impact?

This current Pope spent much time saying gay people are demonic in his fight against equal rights in Argentina. Argentina ignored him and did the right thing, not the bigoted amoral thing as he wanted so badly.

[reformist2]

12. John Paul II's condemnation of the US war in Iraq stifled a lot of Repug Catholics.

Furthermore, it emboldened moderate and liberal Catholics to speak out against the war.

You can dislike that so many people take their cues from what one old man in Rome has to say, but it's the truth.

[pnwmom]

15. I'll agree that a Pope's impact is limited. So why do you worry so much

about what he says on the issues you disagree with?

[pnwmom]

14. GD has been filled with anti-Catholic OP's as of late.

And this is actually news, unlike some of the other posts.

[reformist2]

8. A very good start: Maybe he sees his mission is to be the reincarnation of St. Francis? :)

[LittleBlue]

17. I actually don't mind this pope at all

Whatever his past failings or other beliefs, the attention on these issues by itself is a positive thing. Especially if the world's Catholics keep it in mind when they see a poor person or environmental problems.