John Paul II disliked capitalism that resulted in women selling their bodies and when people put making money over making families. I think Benedict is against the concept that you should bankrupt and indebt yourself for material things you can’t afford.
Which has what to do with the profit motive? Again, the issue he is obliquely raising, which, as he is one of the most intelligent men alive today, he must certainly realize, is governments indulging in deficit spending which creates no earning assets. Any second-year econ student knows this (though many may not realize that is what they know).
This could be a leftist newspaper quoting the Pope out of context, of course. Wouldn't THAT be shocking. [rolleyes]
But also I sense, both Popes were also against the very hororable economic system known as socialism also because it is freedom-limiting. They are for balanced economics.
John Paul II strong defended a market-oriented economy. He said the error of socialism is anthropological. That socialism, to specifically include the welfare state form of socialism, undermines the way human being enter into solidarity (or, voluntary association) with each other. He would not have been surprised at the anti-social behavior of the current generation of pathetic creatures that the welfare state has spawned, who are rioting and demanding benefits no matter the cost on those who work. The current Pope skipped over the teaching of John Paul II, in his encyclical on social teachings, and harkened back to the scatter-brained, warm-fuzziness of John XXIII.