[Secret Agent Man]

people are employed to make new cars and thus take care of their families. the peoplebuying new cars get a new reliable vehicle that will get them to work and where they need to go, and may be more energy efficient than their older car.

now, if he wants to comment on people and personal greed or lavish living and thinking about only satisfying their own desires and whims, go to town. but i wouldn’t begrudge a family who gets a new car every now and then. al my cars are used but someone’s got to buy the new cars.

[MortMan]

As part of his drive to make the Catholic Church more austere and focus on the poor, Francis told young and trainee priests and nuns from around the world that having the latest smartphone or fashion accessory was not the route to happiness.

Pope Francis wasn't speaking to the laity. He was talking to priests and nuns.

[goodwithagun]

The Pope was speaking to young priests and nuns and not laypeople. In this case he is correct to encourage them to be frugal as their vows, which they chose to take, include frugality or even poverty.

[Bob]

A new car isn’t necessarily an ostentatious one and there’s no requirement that a humble car must be an old one.

[metmom]

but someone’s got to buy the new cars.

Maybe that didn't occur to him....