I know many Catholics, many very pious, honest people whom I have the deepest respect for, and who would immediately tell you 'why'. Therefore, maybe it's a subject better left for discussion among your fellow Catholics.
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Perhaps you and your pious friends suffer from a one dimensional view of a multi dimensional issue. The Pope serves Jesus Christmas, anyone who doubts that is deluding themselves. In this case by putting political beliefs above religious.