Is that a GOLD chair he’s sitting on?
Posted on 09/26/2004 8:30:20 AM PDT by FITZ
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (AP) -- Pope John Paul II denounced the "imbalance" between the world's rich and poor Sunday and applauded efforts to eliminate hunger, like the recent U.N. initiative to increase funds for development.
The 84-year-old pontiff had to stop for breath every few words as he spoke to a few hundred pilgrims and tourists in his last Sunday appearance this season at his summer palace in the hill town of Castel Gandolfo. John Paul has Parkinson's disease, making it difficult for him to walk and to pronounce his words.
The pontiff said Sunday's Gospel passage about Lazarus, an impoverished beggar who ate the scraps from a rich man's table, was "ever more appropriate in reference to the problem of the imbalance between the riches and poverty of the world today."
On Monday, the presidents of Brazil and France encouraged 110 countries to back a new declaration to fight hunger and poverty and to increase funds for development. More than 50 heads of state or government joined in a debate at the United Nations on the impact of globalization and on ways to finance the war on poverty.
John Paul called the U.N. meeting important and said it was aimed at "a more united and efficient action against hunger and poverty." He noted the Vatican's No. 2 official, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who is the city-state's secretary of state, participated in the debate and pledged the Holy See's support for the initiative.
The United States didn't join in the pledge to fight hunger and poverty. The Bush administration objected to proposals for international taxes as undemocratic and impossible to implement.
John Paul reiterated his Church's backing.
"The Catholic Church assures all its commitment to eradicating the scourge of hunger and the other consequences of poverty from the world," the pope said.
He prayed that God would "sustain the efforts of the international community aimed at justice and solid development. This, in fact, is the path which can guarantee to the world a future of peace."
John Paul also offered prayers on prayers for families and populations "most tried by the unfair distribution of wealth that God destines for all his children."
While the pope struggled with his brief speech Sunday, he announced he was forging ahead with his grueling schedule. After again taking up residence at the Vatican on Wednesday, he will lead a long beatification ceremony on Oct. 3 in St. Peter's Square.
Catholic countries like those in Latin America, Haiti are fairly good examples of the effectiveness of the Catholic Church when it comes to government and it's influence over it's own super-rich.
"Government is not the solution, government is the problem."
I wonder what happened to this Pope's anti-Communist stance. It's sad to see all this happen to him.
Is that a GOLD chair he’s sitting on?
I visited Castel Gandolfo a couple of years ago. I didn't actually get into the palace, but I walked around it. Gorgeous place and breathtaking setting, overlooking a lake in the hills outside Rome. Being Pope has its perks.
Pope isnt Communist. Hes admotely against Liberation Theology in Latin America. Thats Marxism plus Catholicism. I think he just wants to help poor people not steal from the rich and give to the poor. Thats not his ideas -- unless hes radically changed in the last few months but I doubt it.
Also id expect JP2 to support Bush simpply because the Vatican has denounced John Kerry for supporting Gay Marriage and Abortion (hes on their Do not give communion lists heh)
"I would advise him to stick to matters involving the soul - and we'll handle the 'material world' ..."
Maybe they are one and the same to him. Didn't Christ say there would always be poor among us?
Does a pope ever declare his wealth???
This church has a real credibility problem by taking Saddam's side when it was Saddam's way rob, rape, imprison, and slaughter millions of his own people.
I agree with you, for a guy that helped the Polish resistance in WWII and helped bring down Communism in Eastern Europe, it seems strange that he makes statements like this. I think his illness has left him at the mercy of his "advisors".
Give me your house, your car, your gun, your dog, your job, your bed, your yard, your ranch, your . . ping.
Anybody, Pope or not, who calls for a reduction of inequality of wealth is a socialist. Why? Because once you start to call for equalizing the "imbalance," there's no logical place to stop until you reach equality. Of course, the latter condition is so contrary to human nature that it requires massive government intervention to enforce and leads inexorably to totalitarianism.
Next time you hear someone say, disapprovingly, "the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer," ask the person what the correct balance would be. If s/he says anything other than perfect equality, bore in and demand to know who should determine what is the right balance and who can cause it to happen. You will rapidly force him/her to assign that responsibility to the government. You have now identified another socialist.
I agree.
Are you talking about the rich young ruler? (Matthew 19)
How do you know he did not? And where does it say Jesus resurrected him?
Sure hope the pope likes the spanish redistribution.
The Pope could begin with selling off a lot of Vatican property. No one is forcing them to keep all the art, jewels, gold, and real estate to themselves.
Headline should read;
POPE SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO LIQUIDATE CHURCH’S WEALTH TO HELP THE POOR
You are not a Catholic.
Your post is what is hypocritical.
It is rumored that the Vatican, owns Bank Of America, at least a few years ago.
"The particular church he "leads" is the richest on earth".
And in most cases its the poorest people thats donating
funds to that church
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