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Thanks for posting this article. Boy, do the pronouncements of Pope Francis cause weeping and gnashing of teeth, or what? The Left, who despises religion and particularly Catholicism, is instantly ready to claim Pope Francis as their own 'saint' at the slightest whiff of his words seeming to endorse their socialism. And the religious right, who loves God and faith, is almost as ready to throw him under the bus when his words disappoint and seem to be affirming 'American liberal' phrasology. Pope Francis is no marxist.

As Pope, he is certainly following in the footsteps of Christ as a sign which shall be contradicted.

I fully expect that he will clarify his words to specifically condemn the economic systems of socialism/marxism and the awful record of how those system(s) condemn 'the poor' to chronic stifling poverty and loss of personal freedom and dignity at the same time.

Rush Limbaugh did qualify his initial reaction ... Shortly after making the aforementioned comments, Rush said that he was being inundated with e-mails from Catholics who said that the WaPo took Pope Francis's words out of context and Rush ended the segment by saying something along the lines of, "I don't know what to believe" or something along those lines. (hat tip: FReeper TexasEagle)

George Weigel writes at the WSJ (sorry, subscription only)Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of The Gospel) is "a clarion call for a decisive shift in the Catholic Church's self-understanding, in full continuity with the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI." However, it has unfortunately been subjected to being "celebrated, or lamented, as if it were an Occupy Whatever position paper for a G-8 summit."

I think that time and further 'clarifying' remarks from the Pontiff will clear things up ... he alluded to such already in the apostolic exhortation itself ...

If anyone feels offended by my words, I would respond that I speak them with affection and with the best of intentions, quite apart from any personal interest or political ideology. My words are not those of a foe or an opponent. I am interested only in helping those who are in thrall to an individualistic, indifferent and self-centred mentality to be freed from those unworthy chains and to attain a way of living and thinking which is more humane, noble and fruitful, and which will bring dignity to their presence on this earth. [208]

I read the translation about a week ago. I wish he had included some pastoral admonitions and exhortations; perhaps bring up matters of avarice and covetousness and the desire for power.

Human institutions reflect the virtue or lack of it in its participants.