Posted on 09/23/2015 6:48:36 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
As many conservatives fret over Pope Francis' views on climate change and income inequality ahead of his Thursday speech before Congress, Fox News host Shepard Smith chided those individuals who have criticized the pope for talking about "political" issues.
During Fox News coverage of Pope Francis' arrival at the White House on Wednesday morning, host Bill Hemmer mentioned that the pontiff may discuss issues that both Democrats and Republicans may disagree with during his address on Thursday.
"Oftentimes the pope is called to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. And you wonder who might be comfortable in Washington, D.C., today and how that may change tomorrow when the pope makes his speech in English before a joint meeting of Congress," Hemmer said. "And, in all likelihood, an equal opportunity offender, he may leave a little bit for everyone to debate and squirm about."
Smith responded to Hemmer by saying that "we are in a weird place in the world when the following things are considered political." Smith then listed five issues both Pope Francis and President Obama have focused on.
"Caring for the marginalized and the poor -- that's now political. Advancing economic opportunity for all. Political? Serving as good stewards of the environment," he said. "Protecting religious minorities and promoting religious freedom globally. Welcoming and … integrating immigrants and refugees globally. And that's political?"
The Fox host proceeded to explain that the pope's discussion on those issues should resonate with all Americans.
"I don't know what we expect to hear from an organization's leader like the pope of the Catholic Church, other than protect those who need help, bring in refugees who have no place because of war and violence and terrorism. These seem like universal truths that we should be good to others who have less than we do, that we should give shelter to those who don't have it," he said. "They're the words of the pope, they're the feelings of the president. And people who find themselves on the other side of that message should consult a mirror, it seems like. Because I think that's what we're supposed to do as a people, whatever your religion."
Amidst reports that Pope Francis would discuss issues like immigration, climate change, and income inequality, numerous conservative lawmakers have called on the pontiff to focus less on those issues. Rep. Steve King (R-IA) urged the pope to steer clear of the "politics" surrounding climate change and capitalism, and instead focus on abortion and marriage. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) said he would boycott the pope's speech to Congress, nothing that when Pope Francis "chooses to act and talk like a leftist politician, then he can expect to be treated like one."
Watch the Fox News segment via Media Matters:
(VIDEO-AT-LINK)
The pope is a commie, Shemp. You’re a punk.
Was Shep wearing his black leather pumps when he said this?
Everytime I see him (few & far between) he always looks like his some kind of eyeshadow on & it’s like his eyelids are powdered over or something
Well, Shep has always been the liberal host. Nothing new about that.
He wears more makeup than my wife.
“”Oftentimes the pope is called to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”
Who calls on him to “afflict the comfortable”?
Sit on it, Shep.
i’ve always asked myself are those eyelids for real?
Lorne Green is a devoted Catholic that even played a piano concert for Pope Benedict XVI who is also a pianist.
I don’t believe Mrs. Green would enjoy covering Francis trip.
Bite me! He trashed the most charitable nation in the world, thanks to capitalism & supports the scientifically unproven theory of global warming!
I am glad that Don will be pissed off at them and they will experience loss.
“Hey Shemp! Your mascara is running!”
He’s a fan boy because of the Pope’s apparent acceptance of gays..
So glad I don’t have network television..
> Shemp is a flaming queen liberal
Not one degree of discernent at all in his bones. None.
Shep is UNWATCHABLE!!!
The Pope’s agenda is not political, it’s about money.
Remember when, on occasion, the Catholic Church would criticize public school policy. I say remember because it DOES NOT happen any more.
The Catholic Church is providing social workers to public schools via Catholic Charities. Catholic Charities finds newly graduated idealistic social workers and hires them to the school district as consultants. They pay a poverty level wage ($18,000) and then add an overhead rate that would make a military contractor blush (90-110%).
Never heard about it you say?
Well everyone involved is very happy with the arrangement. The church gets massive and steady revenue -tax free. The school board for it’s part is buying the full faith of the Catholic Church.
12 years of catholic school here -not a hater by any means. But, I have no interest in this church, unless they sell stock and post a dividend. They do have a fantastic business model and no entity will profit more from global warming redistribution.
No NGO is better positioned to profit from global warming redistribution that the Catholic Church.
A flamer shaming others. That takes the cake.
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