Pope Francis apparently not amused by 'communist crucifix'

Catholic News Agency ^ | 7/9/2015 | Alvaro de Juana and Elise Harris

[EBH]

When leftist Bolivian president Evo Morales on Thursday presented Pope Francis with a “communist crucifix” – a carving of Christ crucified on the hammer of a hammer and sickle – the Pope's only reaction was to say, “This is not ok,” while shaking his head.

Shortly after his July 8 arrival at the Bolivian administrative capital of La Paz, Pope Francis made a courtesy visit to Morales at the Palace of Government. At such meetings, the leaders customarily exchange gifts; Pope Francis gave the Bolivian president a mosaic of the Marian icon of the “Salus Populus Romani,” her role as patroness of Rome.

Morales explained what his gift to the Pope was as he gave it to him. In the video, filmed by the Vatican Television Center and transmitted throughout the world, the Pope's disapproval of the gift can be seen, and he says “No está bien eso” – “This is not ok” – while shaking his head.

While the audio is a bit marred by the clicking of journalists' cameras, the embarrassment of the Pope seems clear.

[EBH]

[Buckeye McFrog]

Teachable moment for the Pontiff

[forgotten man]

I am surprised that Pope Che did not kiss it. I can’t fault the commie Bolivian president for assuming the same.

[SkyDancer]

And Catholics world wide will riot in 3...2...1...

[Alex Murphy]

Ping!

[miss marmelstein]

Communist good taste and etiquette.

[EBH]

I have never seen or heard of a ‘communist crucifix.’

And yes, it may very well be a teachable moment for the Pope. He treads so closely to the edge of socialism with his words...

[SpaceBar]

It’s too early to pull off the mask.

[tet68]

Well, a lot of people have been crucified on the
altar of Communism...

[Norm Lenhart]

He treads completely in communism.

[dragonblustar]

That’s my first thought too.

[Cowboy Bob]

The pope is responsible for this. He led everyone to believe it was cool to “dis” the church and Jesus.

Now, if is had been painted in rainbow colors...

[shibumi]

" He treads so closely to the edge of socialism with his words..."

I'd say he was more like "All In."

[EBH]

Naw, he’ll get one of those in the United States...watch.

[Brad from Tennessee]

“How many divisions does the Pope of Rome have?” —JOSEPH STALIN

[Albion Wilde]

It’s his “Reset” button.

[miss marmelstein]

I think Napoleon said that.

[Uncle Miltie]

Why is it wrong?

The pope has been sacrificing the church to the same symbol of evil.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Looks like he gave it back.

[piusv]

At a July 9 press briefing the Holy See press officer, Fr. Federico Lombardi, noted the lack of clarity in the audio of the exchange, and remarked that Pope Francis had been unaware the crucifix was a replica of Fr. Espinal's. He also claimed that Fr. Espinal's use of it was not ideological but expressed a hope for dialogue between communism and the Church, adding that Pope Francis' remark likely expresed a sentiment of “I didnt' know”, rather than “This is not right.”

Ah, so he didn't say "That's not right" after all.