Pope Francis - he was not offended by Hammer-and-Sickle "crucifix"

Rorat Caeli ^ | 07-13-2015 | Rorate Caeli

[NRx]

Full title: "For the record: Pope Francis personally clarifies that he was not offended by Hammer-and-Sickle "crucifix", explicitly acknowledges the Marxism of its Jesuit originator -- and praises him."

As expected, Pope Francis held an in-flight press conference on his way back to Rome this Monday. As widely reported by secular media, he made use of this opportunity to personally clarify his thoughts about the Hammer and Sickle "crucifix" (and the medallion, the "Order of Fr. Espinal" featuring a smaller version of the same) that were presented to him by President Evo Morales of Bolivia. Catholic News Agency has, thankfully, published a translation of the entire press conference (Full text of Pope Francis' in-flight interview from Paraguay to Rome.) The relevant portion is reproduced below (followed by our commentary):

[NRx]

I am trying very hard to exercise restraint when the subject is the Pope of Rome. But I am reluctantly coming to the painful conclusion that this Pope is a Communist or at least a Communist sympathizer. He has also made enough comments in homilies and "off the cuff" remarks that I am not able to accept the "he was quoted out of context" argument that is so popular with his apologists. I'm not quite ready to say he is a heretic (here I am referring to small 'c' catholic small 'o' orthodoxy as opposed to Orthodoxy), but I strongly suspect it.

[oblomov]

Mistranslated, right?

[2ndDivisionVet]

Why would he be?

[BipolarBob]

He is perfect for ushering in the New World Order. He is the Worlds Ambassador. It’s just like John Lennons “Imagine”. He’s . . he’s . . . well yeah he’s a commie.

[tflabo]

Dennis Prager the other day was saying how much he was disappointed by the Pope’s condemning of capitalism and the commie/socialist bent of latin America. Francis is from Argentina. Other than maybe Colombia I dont think there’s another fairly conservative nation down there.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Makes me wonder if that thing about only 2 more popes after John Paul (peace be upon him) really is correct....

I have no faith in this pope. I’m not Catholic but I’ve had great respect for them until now. This man is just a tool of the left.

[cripplecreek]

Its meaningless.

[ETL]

What times we’re living in... A communist pope. A communist president and administration. And, here in New York City, a communist mayor. Yet many laughed at our warnings. Some clueless dopes still do.

[Gay State Conservative]

I miss John Paul II.

[lee martell]

What does that tell you?
He’s a Socialist Jesuit.

[miele man]

Just a moment ago I read George Weigel’s comment, “I don’t believe for a minute that Pope Francis was pleased when President Evo Morales of Bolivia, one of the worst of the new authoritarians, presented him with a sacrilegious hammer-and-sickle “crucifix” at their exchange of greetings and gifts shortly after the Pope arrived in La Paz.”

Obviously, there are differing opinions of the Pope’s reaction.

See his comment here (an excellent article, BTW)
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/421079/pope-francis-john-paul-ii-vatican-economics

[Lurkinanloomin]

I’m offended by it.

I’m saddened that he is not.

[MamaB]

I remember several years ago, some on here were speaking out and others told us to just be quiet. I told the poster that was why we are in the mess we are. People have been silent far too long. It is way past time to speak up. Another thing. When some were saying they were not voting for the lesser of two evils, others were very critical of us by saying we would just elect a dem. Just look where we are. If there is not a real conservative as our candidate, I will not vote. I and others are fed up with all politicians. I could probably count on one hand the real conservatives out there. I do not think there is a hill of beans difference in the parties.

[MeshugeMikey]

Id offer that as he accepted the gift...he could not have been as offended by it as I am.

[ETL]

a moment ago I read George Weigel’s comment, “I don’t believe for a minute that Pope Francis was pleased when President Evo Morales of Bolivia, one of the worst of the new authoritarians, presented him with a sacrilegious hammer-and-sickle “crucifix”

He just might not have been pleased that it was done publicly, if even true that he wasn't pleased.

[piytar]

Francis is a communist first, a political leader of the Church second, and a man of God (if at all) last. He is an anti-pope.

[piytar]

Chile. Kind of.

[miele man]

I agree.

[miele man]

You may well be right.

[Jan_Sobieski]

Very consistent given this man’s support of big government control of markets and climate initiatives.