As seen both in theory and historical fact, the answer for third-world countries is basically the same as everyone else. To climb out of poverty, third world countries need to embrace freedom and the free market economy. Theory and historical fact also teaches us that Socialism only makes matters worse.
That’s ultimately the big problem with it.
Liberation Theology was ostensibly created to “liberate” oppressed Third World peasants from the plutocracies (usually the Church, the State and wealthy hereditary landowners) who kept them in defacto slavery.
Noble goal.
But it went to far. Rather than breakdown the “Iron Triangles” it simply validated two legs of them (Church and State) while kicking the third leg (landowners) out. With the State invariably controlled by Socialists/Communists.
From that limited perspective I can see what the Pope is trying to accomplish here. He’s just 1) writing the wrong prescription and 2) thinking that prescription needs to be applied everywhere.
The truth is that it doesn’t really apply to the US or Western Capitalism/market economies. Unless (and this is where it gets interesting) Francis’ comments can be interpreted as being firmly against the kind of Crony Capitalism we’re increasingly seeing here in the US.
Which WOULD support the notion that action needs to be taken by the government to “redistribute” the wealth accumulated by US\Western cronyism ... With the natural prescription being reduced regulation, lower taxation, aggressive use of RICO against various organs of the Liberal/Progressive crony capitalism cabal, etc.
So, actually, it’s possible to find (if one looks hard and creative enough) something really appealing in what the Pope is saying ..