[x]

Something like one third of Italians voted for the Communist Party.

In some parts of the country a third still vote for the successor party, and at times the post-communist party has been in the governing coalition.

So I guess what the pope is trying to say is that somebody who just happened to vote for the party isn't necessarily totally evil.

I don't know how seriously to take Francis's comment. It may just be a "some of my best friends are _____" reflex that he's using to temper and take the edge off his remarks.

[C. Edmund Wright]

Well, let’s just say his reflex statement to take the edge off….did not work. Nice try though.