The problem I have with the Pope’s statement on what governments should and should not do is that Jesus did not speak to governments. He spoke to each and every one of us. When he said, “You” it was a personal singular pronoun and not a collective pronoun.
I hope some of the Pope’s advisors remind him that redemption is an individual, not a collective, action. I also hope they remind the Pope that people who look to the government for salvation are very likely to end up in Hell because for governments to provide for those among us who are unable to provide for themselves (not to mention those who will not provide for themselves) requires those self-same politicians to steal from others.
Exactly correct. Francis would do well to read John 21:17 and realize that in the verse where Jesus commands to "feed my sheep", he is not talking to Pilate, he is talking to Peter. He is commanding the Christian, not government.