Has Pope Francis just cast the first vote in the US presidential race?

[mucifer]

Sure enough, in his visit to the US, Francis turned his attention to the winners in the global economy. They may not have been entirely pleased with the outcome.

The pope has been at his most skilful yet as a political operator in the US. As ever, he spoke through actions as much as words. He balanced every event on the grand stage – the White House, Congress, the UN general assembly – with a visit to the homeless, immigrants or prisoners. The little black Fiat he used there was more than a symbol of humility. It was a clear message about the need for everyone to leave a smaller footprint on the planet. Fiat voluntas tua, it will not have escaped him, is the old church Latin for “Thy will be done”.

Under the previous two popes, Republicans could count on papal endorsement for their anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage stances. Catholic Democrats, by contrast, had a trickier time, treading a tightrope between voicing respect for the pope and for their electorate on such issues.

Francis has thrown that into reverse; it is Democrat policy preferences that he has endorsed – on inequality, immigration, the death penalty and climate change. The Democrats have been brought in from the papal cold while Republicans speak of feeling “kicked to the kerb”. Catholic bishops will almost certainly feel less gung-ho about endorsing Republicans and refusing communion to Democrats as in the past.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/28/pope-francis-us-presidential-race-democratic-party-catholics

[Sherman A1]

1. We will see

If this really amounts to much of anything in the election. It is nice to see anyone from a position of authority speak on the issues of inequality, immigration, the death penalty and climate change, so I suspect at the very least, it doesn't hurt.

[davidn3600]

2. The way Americans are....

...within a week, no one will even remember he was here.

I doubt the pope will have much political influence in an election that is more than a year away.

[Javaman]

4. pope who?

some guy in a funny hat had lunch with some homeless people, right?

[Bluenorthwest]

3. Such bullshit, and very insulting bullshit. This Pope is anti abortion and anti marriage equality.

What this author says: "Under the previous two popes, Republicans could count on papal endorsement for their anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage stances."

Well they can count on Francis for that too. He delivered both in the Congress and all over the US and again on his flight back home.

This bogus rhetoric crafted to suggest Francis is pro choice and a supporter of marriage equality is getting to be beyond tiresome. At a certain point, lies like this need to stop. It's a lie.

Claiming that leading activists against choice and equality are in favor of those things is a shitty thing to do. This author does so to serve his own agenda.

If you can't sell your goods honestly, perhaps those goods should not be for sale.