Posted on 09/26/2004 8:30:20 AM PDT by FITZ
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (AP) -- Pope John Paul II denounced the "imbalance" between the world's rich and poor Sunday and applauded efforts to eliminate hunger, like the recent U.N. initiative to increase funds for development.
The 84-year-old pontiff had to stop for breath every few words as he spoke to a few hundred pilgrims and tourists in his last Sunday appearance this season at his summer palace in the hill town of Castel Gandolfo. John Paul has Parkinson's disease, making it difficult for him to walk and to pronounce his words.
The pontiff said Sunday's Gospel passage about Lazarus, an impoverished beggar who ate the scraps from a rich man's table, was "ever more appropriate in reference to the problem of the imbalance between the riches and poverty of the world today."
On Monday, the presidents of Brazil and France encouraged 110 countries to back a new declaration to fight hunger and poverty and to increase funds for development. More than 50 heads of state or government joined in a debate at the United Nations on the impact of globalization and on ways to finance the war on poverty.
John Paul called the U.N. meeting important and said it was aimed at "a more united and efficient action against hunger and poverty." He noted the Vatican's No. 2 official, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who is the city-state's secretary of state, participated in the debate and pledged the Holy See's support for the initiative.
The United States didn't join in the pledge to fight hunger and poverty. The Bush administration objected to proposals for international taxes as undemocratic and impossible to implement.
John Paul reiterated his Church's backing.
"The Catholic Church assures all its commitment to eradicating the scourge of hunger and the other consequences of poverty from the world," the pope said.
He prayed that God would "sustain the efforts of the international community aimed at justice and solid development. This, in fact, is the path which can guarantee to the world a future of peace."
John Paul also offered prayers on prayers for families and populations "most tried by the unfair distribution of wealth that God destines for all his children."
While the pope struggled with his brief speech Sunday, he announced he was forging ahead with his grueling schedule. After again taking up residence at the Vatican on Wednesday, he will lead a long beatification ceremony on Oct. 3 in St. Peter's Square.
Go figure, the pope is a global communist.
The particular church he "leads" is the richest on earth.
If he wishes to "spread the wealth", let him start in his own house first!
(wonder what a michelangelo would sell for these days; hmmmmmmm????)
Jesus said to a certain man give up everything and follow him. The man didn't, but yet Jesus raised him from the dead.
after he died...
Instead, condemn the Islamofascists who terrorize children and behead innocents.
Stop playing the pious Christian wimp...oh.
Never mind.
I would advise him to stick to matters involving the soul - and we'll handle the 'material world' ...
Strangely, His Holiness did not propose selling the treasures of the Vatican to finance his project.
I admire the Pope as a good Christian man.
Obviously, there are advisors (ala Wormtounge for LOTR fans) feeding him poison on a regular basis --- bad economics, better relationsips with Muslims than other Christian denominations, and a general failure to realize that the muslims have declared jihad on all Christiandom.
Like the 'Oil for Food Program', which was total corrupt? I expect the Pope to endorse Kerry any day now.
John Paul II is a good and great man, but he knows economics like Milton Friedman knows Catholic theology.
Nor does he suggest selling some of the enormous land holdings.
Wonder how many folks could be fed from the sale of about 15,000 acres of land. The church sure wouldn't miss it!
And we don't need to. We are the most generous nation on the planet.
Did you notice it said he was at his "summer palace"
The problem is never money. We could throw all the money in the free world at these people. Nothing would change. They would still be slaughtering and whining (some of these countries are the wealthiest on the earth.
They must quit blaming others and take personal responsibilitiy.
He's an establishment figure - and the establishment wants higher taxes and more governance.
Why is that strange? They are not his to sell.
I know about the rich young ruler who went away very sad because he could not give up his wealthy to follow Jesus..
I also know about Lazarus one of many Jesus raised from the dead....
I have not read that the same 'rich young man' of one parable was raised from the dead?
Can you site the chapter and verse...sounds interesting....
The "Medici System of Wealth Extraction." Yes, you too can be educated by the greatest economic minds of the world. What guilt does not achieve, world tax-extortion will.
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