Pope Francis Raffles Off His Swag to Help the Poor

The Daily Beast ^ | 11.18.14 | Barbie Latza Nadeau

[bigdaddy45]

Oh i knew someone would show up to throw a bucket of excrement on what is a very nice, charitable gesture. Thanks for not disappointing me!

[Salvation]

I must disagree. I think it is disgraceful. Those were gifts given to the Pope by heads of countries.

I think it is an insult to those countries.

[Gamecock]

Hey! He’s your Pope! Don’t blame me.

[miss marmelstein]

The Queen doesn’t keep all the gifts she receives from heads of state - she sends many of the gifts on to charities. And the President of the USA is not supposed to keep any personal items, either. I don’t know what they do with half the junk they are given. Well, of course, Bill Clinton regifted cheapie items to Monica.

I don’t see this as a particularly negative story about the Pope.

[married21]

“similar to what a local pastor would do.”

---

Exactly. I think part of what this Pope is here to accomplish is to encourage vocations and inspire priests. He keeps making being a priest look like an interesting adventure. Something a young man with imagination and heart would aspire to. Not a lifetime of “making nice” with tepid parishioners.

[Resettozero]

I imagine Jesus would approve.

A dreamy response bearing no resemblance to what Jesus Christ actually has said and has been recorded for YOU to read in YOUR copy of the Holy Bible.

How can you make such a blithe comment about a subject your Lord and Master has addressed already?

Glib...is not an inaccurate word to describe such callous disregard for the One you say you worship.

[Iscool]

I must disagree. I think it is disgraceful. Those were gifts given to the Pope by heads of countries. I think it is an insult to those countries.

Religion aside, I agree...

[Iscool]

The Catholic Church is a repository of the greatest art of western civ. I realize there are some people of the Protestant persuasion who feel this is sinful but most people are happy to know that the Church is a great caretaker of these works and make them available to millions of people.

That's because the rest of the world knows that most of the wealth of the Vatican is thru ill gotten gains...

[Resettozero]

Those were gifts given to the Pope by heads of countries.

Any gifts from Germany?

[Resettozero]

CORRECTION:

Those were gifts given to the Pope by heads of countries.

Any gifts from Germany?

[Repent and Believe]

“Oh i knew someone would show up to throw a bucket of excrement on what is a very nice, charitable gesture…”

But recall that this is the same man who publicly names Marxists as some of his good friends. (“Birds of a feather flock together.” – Aesop?) And isn’t it Marxism that time and again has destroyed beauty and esteem for the noble from society while destroying all mention and devotion to God?

I heard that Pope Francis has invited a Marxism icon who has a history of vulgar lyrics and all the worldly lustful antics found in rock music. She sings “Power to the people” a Marxist rant. See the article:

WHY PATTI SMITH?
Pope Francis Invites Legendary Punk Rocker to Play Christmas Concert at the Vatican

November 15, 2014 by Kathy Schiffer

Yesterday it was announced that Pope Francis invited - Snip - American punk rocker Patti Smith to play at the Vatican’s Christmas Concert on December 13.

The concert, which will be held December 13 at Rome’s Auditorium Conciliazione, will be televised live.

- Snip - Patti Smith? I confess, I’m not much of a follower of punk rock. Actually, punk rock and I have never been in the same room together.

So I did what I could to learn about Smith, to understand the gifts she brings to the Church which would qualify her for this great honor. I went to YouTube and clicked on the first Patti Smith song that came up. This is what I heard–the first line of the first song:

Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine.

- Snip - Immediately, my blasphemy antennae popped up….

Read more: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/kathyschiffer/2014/11/why-patti-smith-pope-francis-invites-legendary-punk-rocker-to-play-christmas-concert-at-the-vatican/

In the same vein it is Judas Iscariot who disparaged the beautiful gesture of the woman who lavished upon Jesus a massive amount of expensive perfume. In Jesus’ defense of the woman, He says something very interesting: That wherever the gospel is preached that this woman’s deed would be remembered.

And yet it was reported somewhere that it is Pope Francis who said that one of the best ways to be really happy is to not proselytize. So maybe along the same vein he is trying to erase the thought of expressing extravagance for God.

Or at least he has no fear of causing others to act like Judas (who was a thief and betrayed Jesus) as well as disliked extravagance for the things of (and Son of) God.

[miss marmelstein]

I don’t even understand your post.

[miss marmelstein]

Oh, go away, you bore me.

[Resettozero]

Oh, go away, you bore me.

You do not own the right to post this command on Free Republic any more that I.

You are openly rude and quick to become hostile, like others of similar RCC mindsets. Why is that?

Enjoy your religious dreams as long as they last; reality awaits each of us...you and me and all of us.

[metmom]

Starting this week, the Vatican is raffling off tickets for a chance to win unwanted papal gifts that Francis doesn’t need. Raffle tickets cost €10 and can be purchased at a select few spots including the Vatican post office and at the Vatican’s tourist and pilgrimage bureau in St. Peter’s Square. The winners will be drawn on January 8, which makes the raffle tickets the perfect Christmas gift.

Now wait a minute.

Haven't we been told time and again that priests take a vow of poverty and that the pope doesn't own anything, which is supposed to somehow justify his living in opulence?

So how can he raffle off what is not his?

Does he have permission from the owners to do that?

[metmom]

Now they’re become *relics* and people will line up to prayer before them and kiss them.

[metmom]

The Catholic Church is a repository of the greatest art of western civ. I realize there are some people of the Protestant persuasion who feel this is sinful but most people are happy to know that the Church is a great caretaker of these works and make them available to millions of people.

Really?

Who told you it was sinful?

Or that Protestants thought it was sinful?

[miss marmelstein]

Many of the people who post here do not believe in representation of the Christ figure - they’ve told me it is an abomination. One fellow suggested the entire Vatican be burned to the ground.

Not exactly art lovers.

[Resettozero]

Many of the people who post here do not believe in representation of the Christ figure - they’ve told me it is an abomination. One fellow suggested the entire Vatican be burned to the ground.

Yours are senseless unprovable accusations that do not reflect well on RCC members or the manner in which the RCC has acquired these many "works of art" you wish to appreciate "for God".

Like a few other RCs on FR, you will not answer direct questions and will exaggerate your statements into the realm of fiction. Why is that?

[metmom]

How about providing links to said comments for purpose of substantiation?