For example:
Source "Cardinal Bergoglio said the challenge to eradicate poverty could not be truthfully met as long as the poor continue to be dependents of the State. The government and other organizations should instead work to create the social conditions that will promote and protect the rights of the poor and enable them to be the builders of their own future, he explained."
and
Source: "Amid Argentina's financial crisis in 2002, then Cardinal Bergoglio offered a sermon in Buenos Aires in which he declared "To those who are now promising to fix all your problems, I say, 'Go and fix yourself.' . . . Have a change of heart. Get to confession, before you need it even more!"
"Interrupted by applause, the cardinal added, "The current crisis will not be improved by magicians from outside the country and nor will [improvement] come from the golden mouth of our politicians, so accustomed to making incredible promises."
(Hat tip to markomalley)
I'll realistically concede that he doesn't seemto be Paul Ryan; but then, even Paul Ryan doesn't seem to be Paul Ryan anymore.
Pope Francis is not, or ought not to be, a politician. Much misinterpretation comes, I think, when papal or conciliar statements refer to a duty of "society" and people interpret that as "the State."
Society =/= the State. Most "social obligations" are on the low end of subsidiarity, e.g. the family, the parish, the private philanthropy, the county, the business community, the fraternal and charitable association, the diocese. Even a lot of Catholics don't seem to know that.
Which is a very damaging failure of teaching. But I am a teacher in my small ways, so I have to own some of that responsibility.
It's good that he said 'reduce' and not 'eliminate'.
"The poor will be with you always."