Pope on Limbaugh's 'Marxist' Slam: So?

Calls ideology 'wrong,' but says he's known many 'good people' who follow it
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 15, 2013 1:05 PM CST
Pope on Limbaugh's 'Marxist' Slam: So?
A child takes off Pope Francis' white zucchetto during a meeting with children and volunteers of the Santa Marta Vatican Institute, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013.   (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis is turning a big old cheek to recent charges from conservatives including Rush Limbaugh that he's a Marxist on account of his views that unlimited capitalism is a "new tyranny" because it shortchanges the poor. In a broad interview with La Stampa, Time's newest Person of the Year said that while "Marxist ideology is wrong," he himself has "met many Marxists in my life who are good people, so I don’t feel offended" by the comparison. As for his take on an economy that "kills," Francis says that rather than Marxism, "There is nothing in the Exhortation that cannot be found in the social Doctrine of the Church." Mediaite has more on Limbaugh et al. Other highlights from Francis' interview:

  • On 'trickle-down theories' of economics: They "assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and social inclusiveness in the world. The promise was that when the glass was full, it would overflow, benefiting the poor. But what happens instead, is that when the glass is full, it magically gets bigger, (and) nothing ever comes out for the poor."
  • On an embarrassed mother holding a hungry, crying child: "I said to her: madam, I think the child’s hungry. 'Yes, it’s probably time,' she replied. 'Please give it something to eat!' I said. She was shy and didn’t want to breastfeed in public, while the pope was passing. I wish to say the same to humanity: give people something to eat! That woman had milk to give to her child; we have enough food in the world to feed everyone."
(More Pope Francis stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X