[Desdemona]

Just because the Pope isn't a free-market purist automatically makes him a socialist?

I think sometimes the way the pope's words are presented creates comfussion. Last Sunday, the first Mass reading was from Acts, if you will recall, and did sound a lot like socialism. It was, however, volutary. That is what the pope wants. Some control over the megalomaniacs and dictators who exploit the less fortunate.

[sinkspur]

That is what the pope wants. Some control over the megalomaniacs and dictators who exploit the less fortunate.

Unless someone actually tries to do something about megalomaniacs and dictators, in which case he can have a Vatican functionary characterize his military intervention as a "crime against humanity."

[Aliska]

and did sound a lot like socialism

It was but that was in a very closed, homogenous social structure (Christian-only) in a very narrow timeframe. It didn't include collective ownership and sharing within the wider diverse culture. It is doubtful that it worked for very long.