Pope attacks "tyranny" of markets, urges renewal in key document

[n2doc]

BY NAOMI O'LEARY

(Reuters) - Pope Francis called for renewal of the Roman Catholic Church and attacked unfettered capitalism as "a new tyranny", urging global leaders to fight poverty and growing inequality in the first major work he has authored alone as pontiff.

The 84-page document, known as an apostolic exhortation, amounted to an official platform for his papacy, building on views he has aired in sermons and remarks since he became the first non-European pontiff in 1,300 years in March.

In it, Francis went further than previous comments criticising the global economic system, attacking the "idolatry of money" and beseeching politicians to guarantee all citizens "dignified work, education and healthcare".

He also called on rich people to share their wealth. "Just as the commandment 'Thou shalt not kill' sets a clear limit in order to safeguard the value of human life, today we also have to say 'thou shalt not' to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills," Francis wrote in the document issued on Tuesday.

"How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses 2 points?"

more

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/26/uk-pope-document-idUKBRE9AP0EO20131126

Also
Pope Francis calls for power to move away from Vatican
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25102720

[FreakinDJ]

1. Sorry if your offended - I like this guy

[n2doc]

2. I'm not offended

I know there are those at DU who dislike Francis, and there are still many things wrong with the Catholic Church. He at least speaks the right words, and that does count.

[NuclearDem]

3. Francis is hardly perfect...

But damn, I'm starting to like this guy.

[tallahasseedem]

4. No need to apologize!

Thank you for posting!

[jsr]

5. He's right about the worship of Wall Street

[JNelson6563]

6. He's right.

Sure is nice to have one of the players on the world stage saying such things.

Julie

[raouldukelives]

7. Wait! Doesn't it say "I am my brothers leecher."?

I eagerly await the mass exodus of devout Catholics from Wall St. Maybe they can finally start resembling the teachings they claim to follow in day to day life and not just on Sundays from 7-10am.