Pope wants 'poor church, and for the poor'
Pope Francis, giving his clearest indication yet that he wants a more austere Catholic Church, said today that it should be poor and remember that its mission is to serve the poor.
The Pope made his comments in an audience with journalists, explaining why he chose to take the name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi, a symbol of peace, austerity and poverty.
He called St Francis "The man who gives us this spirit of peace, the poor man," and added "How I would like a poor Church, and for the poor".
Since his shock election on Wednesday, the Pope has made clear that he would be introducing a different style to the papacy following the resignation of Pope Benedict last month.
On the night he was elected he shunned the papal limousine and travelled on a bus with other cardinals who had elected him.
The next day he returned to the Church-run hotel where he had been staying before the conclave and insisted on paying the bill.
In other parts of his Italian address, much of it unscripted, he said that Catholics should remember that Jesus is the centre of the Church and not the pope.
Pope Francis is taking the helm of the 1.2 billion-member Church at a time of crisis over the worldwide sexual abuse scandal as well as scandals involving intrigue and alleged corruption in the Vatican bureaucracy.
He said the Church, like any institution, had "virtues and sins" and urged journalists to focus on "truth, goodness and beauty" in the course of their work.
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Charles Grixti
Mar 19th, 05:19
Rather then exalting the poor, the Church ought to strive so that there are no poor in the world. Saying that it wants to be the Church of the poor kind of rubber stamps the status quo that is allowing for the poor to exist in the first place. A good place to start would be for the Church to change its teachings, especially on birth control, that is fueling poverty in third-world countries.
Ronald Rico
Mar 18th, 11:19
Let us hope that the Pope's policy will be reflected in the work of the Joint Office in Malta, so that conformity with the Treaty obligations towards the community at large and social benefit, rather than simply profit.
Joe Xuereb
Mar 18th, 03:22
@Mariella Farjallah(Yesterday, 17:56). Come to think of it, why does god feel the need to be worshipped?
I cannot say this often enough but the Church cannot be expected to operate from an anonymous simple building. It's opulence gives it clout of sorts. Maybe charity should be practised more by those who profess to being practitioners of the Faith.
The beauty of our churches is more about pique
Mariella Farjallah
Mar 17th, 18:03
if not only the church but all the governments of all countries of the world abide by God's rules and laws no poverty will be left on this earth. But unfortunately there isn't one single country in this world which rules by God's laws. Without God we are nothing, helpless.
George Lewis
Mar 17th, 14:22
There are many comments on what the church should be doing.Many have said that her wealth should be given out.Are those saying so ready to set the example?Have they been contributing in any way or are they the ones who have never entered a church much less than putting in any money and now they tell others what they should do?
Joe Xuereb
Mar 17th, 13:59
In theory, following the charity tenet is one thing. In practice it is something else. If the Church were to 'give' to the point of impoverishing itself, then what?! Besides, and taking the Benefits system in UK - one cannot get more charitable than that. Problem is....many undeserving 'poor' jump on the benefits bandwagon and abuse it. So much for defining the poor, ay!
Victor Pulis
Mar 17th, 12:44
The gold and silver in the churches does not belong to anybody. It belongs to God to whom it was donated by generations of believers. Mary Attard
Yes, and god needs gold and silver!! Are we living in 2013 or what?!
Mariella Farjallah
Mar 17th, 17:56
God does not need anything but we need God for sure. Saying that God needs something is one of the major sins and its even against the catholic belief. We have to abide by what God has made lawful and unlawful to us in this world to achieve parpadise and its also the happiest and healthy life to live. But unfortunately the church has been changing God's laws that is why a lot of people lost hope
Alfred J. McEwen
Mar 17th, 11:23
Who does this pope think he`s kidding? The church has no intention in giving up it`s wealth ..not now and not ever and naive are rhose that believe it.
K.M. Psaila
Mar 17th, 10:36
not really
Victor Pulis
Mar 17th, 09:19
with the wealth it posseses and i don't mean the gold and silver in churches. i am talking about the financial assets in its banks and deposits. millions upon millions spread throughout the world.
Victor Pulis
Mar 17th, 09:17
Paul Azzopardi
Yesterday, 21:37
There is nothing wrong with worshiping God with things of beauty.
I'm afraid your idea of beauty is not shared by god. read the bible. God wants inner beauty not gold and silver. Works of art are essential for aesthetic beauty but not necesary in worship. The church does a lot for the poor but it is never enough. it could do a lot more.cont.
Mary Attard
Mar 17th, 03:51
It is commendable to live modestly and do good to others. It is not commendable to take that which you are entrusted to administer, defend, safeguard and use for the good of the church and the good it does. It is wrong to use that which does not belong to any one man and live in luxury off it but it is equally wrong to gut that which belongs to the church and, in extention, to God.
Mark J. Magri
Mar 17th, 02:53
This would be one of the greatest popes the church ever had!
Pope Francis I should be admired for his willingness to live in poverty and not solely to preach it as other popes did!
May God embellish him with a long healthy life on this earth for the much needed reform that the Catholic Church thirsts for.
May we pray for his health to accomplish his earthly spiritual mission.
GRANPINTO
Hamrun
Joseph Ellul
Mar 17th, 01:23
This Pope knows something we do not know? The RCC is based on sharing of food, accommodation and money. It seems that the EU is already on that track. First we had to give money to Greece. Now the banks in Cyprus are taking 7% to 10% from deposits. Houses are getting repossessed. The RCC is a church of the poor, whether we like it or not.
Charles Grixti
Mar 17th, 00:39
The new Pope is full of good intentions. But he will soon be put straight by those that run the Church behind the scene. The Church is part of the corporate elite and if were to give its wealth away it would disappear as an powerful entity.
Joe Xuereb
Mar 17th, 00:27
@Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO(Today, 18:39). Albert, the rich don't need the Pope to be reminded that a life of humble poverty is the true way. I doubt that anyone today would emulate St. Francis. The most one can hope for is for the rich to be charitable, raise funds, etc. Not forgetting too that defining 'the poor' is not as straightforward as it may seem.
I wish the Pope well in his endeavours.
Gustav Svensson
Mar 16th, 22:31
Will that mean that the Church will start donating more money to people who are starving? Will Church be more active in helping the poor Africans that are in Malta or is this just nice words?
Mr Jimmy Vella
Mar 16th, 22:21
That`s good idea, rather than lifting the poor out of poverty (one good idea is start telling poor people to stop having inflated families) the rich institutions becomes poor as well,Hard to swallow this one!!!!
Edward Camilleri
Mar 16th, 20:48
Then the catholics should start donating the riches in their churches!
Paul Azzopardi
Mar 16th, 21:37
There is nothing wrong with worshiping God with things of beauty.
E. Vassallo
Mar 16th, 19:21
Mela mhux bhal kabinett li ghandna....ghax zieda l-ispiza mill-but il-poplu!!!!
J Martinelli
Mar 16th, 18:18
Reading some of the comments made me realize how the faith of many has diminished over the years & how material gain has been allowed to cloud their reasoning & stall their aspiration of increasing their moral wealth!
If the Church is rich, it's because rich & poor gave whatever they could over 2000 years. Nobody held a gun at anyone's head. Many in Malta were told not to donate and still don't!
Victor Pulis
Mar 17th, 08:24
Mr. Martinelli many faithful gave willingly but you are forgetting those millions who had their property confiscated either through fear of hellon their death bed or through the inquisition. Innumerable properties were stolen by the church from so called heretics. one such example in Malta is Girgenti palace. Yes in the past guns were held at heads by the church, the gun of eternal damnation.
Mr R.E. Saliba
Mar 17th, 10:55
I suggest that you read more about the abuse of indulgences.
Paul Azzopardi
Mar 16th, 18:03
Maybe by "poor" the Pope means "responsible wealth" rather than "lack of wealth"?
K.M. Psaila
Mar 17th, 10:36
That would already be a significant step...
cesco di luigi
Mar 16th, 17:59
More politicians and other community leaders should hear what this man is saying. I'm no church goer but for once someone who makes good sense. Takes the bus, cooks his own food, lives simple: just my type of guy. Lead by example, practice what you preach.Well done.
Victor Pulis
Mar 17th, 08:28
And what will cooking himself and travelling by bus (Not anymore I assure you)change in the church? Saint francis was rich and became poor. The new pope was poor and has found himself in a palace. He has no power to make the church poor. If he tries he will not last long. There are too many toes to step on to reach his goal of a poor church.Symbolic gestures are not enough.
Pace M
Mar 16th, 17:14
Bniedem umli sa kemm ma jtajruhx minn hemm niesu stess. J'Alla il bambin jiprotegih mill hazen tad-dinja.
R Mifsud
Mar 16th, 16:59
This Pope is in for a big task! But for the sack of fairness, most of the gold and richness in Maltese church was donated of gifted by the people. And there is no other institution in the world that helps the poor, sick and disable people as much as the Roman Catholic Church. In Malta we have a great example and what about all the missionaries spread around the world! Getting persecuted and still.
victor caruana
Mar 16th, 16:48
They all say that>
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Mar 16th, 16:26
As I so many times in the past 35 years have always stated, and for which the Christless Catholics chastised me, that THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, and in our context the MALTA CATHOLIC CHURCH, do not follow CHRIST`s TEACHINGS but their Self-Interested Teachings. THIS POPE is truly GOD-SENT and TRUE CATHOLICS must commence be rekindling CHRIST..all our Bishops have to resign to pave way for new leaders.
Alfred J. McEwen
Mar 17th, 11:25
HEH HEH !! DREAM ON..........!!!
Alfred J. McEwen
Mar 17th, 11:28
HEH HEH !! DREAM ON..........!!!
B. Farrugia
Mar 16th, 15:53
Saner people are always attracted to humility
John Seguna
Mar 16th, 15:52
The Pope said well. Our pedament and aim must always be Jesus Christ.
Joseph Gatt
Mar 16th, 15:46
Mr. Borg, to be perfectly honest with you, that was the first thought that came to mind when I read this article. Pope John Paul 1 was done in because of what he was going to do re the Vatican Bank which was rife with scandal. The powerful upper echelons of the church who live like kings are not going to be too happy with having a 'Poor Church"
Anna Caruana
Mar 16th, 20:37
Couldn't agree more!!!! Does he know who he is up against!???
Joe Xuereb
Mar 16th, 15:39
@Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO(Today, 14:54). The rich will tremble?! The rich will ignore him.
Giving everything away in Francis' time and especially in Jesus' time was one thing. Giving all away now is different. Talk about setting up oneself to fail!
The Church, an important Institution, HAS to appear - indeed, be - 'rich'. The new Pope is honest and will be in conflict with his surroundings.
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Mar 16th, 18:39
They will manage to ignore him as much as the communists managed to ignore John Paul II or the South African regime manged to ignore Nelson Mandela or the British managed to ignore Ghandi. His words will resonate in the minds of billions of the poor and suffering. Indeed did the might of the Roman manage to stop the words of Christ. To boot there must be worldly bishops and monsignors trembling
David Hill
Mar 16th, 22:10
"The Church, an important Institution, HAS to appear - indeed, be - 'rich'".
WHY?
G. Ellul
Mar 16th, 15:20
Won't last long....
A Bezzina
Mar 16th, 15:11
@ Carmel Pule
So if i'm getting you right, a sustainable economy necessitates the discrepancy between the rich & poor? And according to you it's fine that 17% of the world's population consumes 80% of the world's resources?! And you think it's fair that 20% of the world's people live on less than $1/day?! Thank GOD for a pope who is far wiser than you and who will give world poverty TOP PRIORITY!
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Mar 16th, 14:54
The pope is taking the high moral ground of the rich in spirit poor as St Francis in earthly wealth. we live in a world where wealth is being concentrated in the hands of the few and his words must be making the capitalist establishment tremble. They tried to call him a Videla fascist sympathizer and when this failed they will try to turn the faithful against him by labelling him as a communist
Joseph Aquilina
Mar 16th, 14:48
This is a very clear message from the Pope ... no more thousands of euros on fireworks and decorations. Feasts should be small and an event where people pray and yes why not socialise.
Marija Attard Raute
Mar 17th, 09:43
@ Joseph Aquilina
This is exactly how I felt a couple of years ago. However a colleague of mine who also happens to be a festa and firework enthusiast pointed out that a lot of youths spend HOURS at the local Kazin preparing so many things for the feast all year round. A lot of local artists are also involved in the painting a sowing of the decorative drapes (pavaljuni)
Marija Attard Raute
Mar 17th, 09:51
cont...
so basically
1. we have the youths spending their time in a healthy way (less likely to fall into bad vices...sure once a year some drink too much and act too silly...and?)
2. our local festas and churches are kept alive.
3. All these preparations create some form of work (so might reduce or prevent poverty)
4. Local festas attract tourists...so more work for locals so less poverty...
Charles Abela
Mar 16th, 14:26
May I point out, a very interesting book.’Vatican 2035’. Pseudonymous, Monsignore Pietro De Paoli Pub PLON . French .2005
j brincat
Mar 16th, 13:55
"He called St Francis "The man who gives us this spirit of peace, the poor man," and added "How I would like a poor Church, and for the poor".
Oh, how different the church is today!
Just take a look at all the gold and silver that adorn the churches of Malta and Gozo!
if he comes here he would be bewildered - in any case he must be utterly confused even in the Vatican!
jb
Mary Attard
Mar 17th, 03:59
St Francis was a wonderful saint. His faith was simple and Christ-like. He gave all he had and served the poor but he did not take away from the church, rather gave it more. The gold and silver in the churches does not belong to anybody. It belongs to God to whom it was donated by generations of believers. No one has the right to take it away. We only have the right to give of our own possessions.
Joseph Borg
Mar 16th, 13:40
I still remember Pope John Paul 1 or Papa Luciani aka 'The Smiling Pope' he was a humble person and much loved by the common people. He also wanted a 'poor church, and for the poor' but he only lasted 33 days.
So dear Francis, watch you back!
Anna Caruana
Mar 16th, 20:32
My thoughts exactly!!
A Tonna
Mar 16th, 13:40
With Pope Francis placing his trust 100% in God, the Financial Times may just be wrong.
Justin Spiteri
Mar 16th, 13:35
Our politicians have one or two lessons to learn from this pope...
Alex Cutajar
Mar 16th, 13:27
Well done to this pope, one of the very first I really like!
Alex- www.alexcutajar.com
Pule' Carmel
Mar 16th, 13:26
The Pope does not know much about a sustainable economy it seems. Let me put it simply, I all the people in Malta had to give all thier saving and all their assets to the poor, what will happen is that all the people in Malta will join the poor.My Dear Pope, be careful when you make statements like that.Probably the Pope does not even understand the consequences of 100% employment either.
Alex Buds
Mar 16th, 14:37
The objective should really be to eliminate poverty. Teach men to fish, as the proverb says. Statements like the pope's, while probably well-intentioned, imply that poverty is something we just have to accept and live with.
Stephen Florian
Mar 16th, 13:23
93 million Euros given to the Church by Mussolini, invested in the United Kingdom. There must be other resources which we do not know about.
Mary Attard
Mar 17th, 04:04
Would you like to have a piece of it? When Christ's feet were washed and perfumed by the woman, the Pharisees protested and suggested the perfume be sold and the money given to the poor. What did Jesus tell them? The King of kings and Lord of lords deserves all the gold and silver in the world. The greed of some shows. Let us look to ourselves and not to others for generosity.
Etienne Borg
Mar 16th, 13:11
He wont last long..................
Mr J. Bonnici
Mar 16th, 12:58
The Financial Times today said this pope may not last the course.
Reuben D. Spiteri
Mar 16th, 13:25
What's that supposed to mean?
Sarah Camilleri
Mar 16th, 13:42
To be honest, several foreign newspapers (from non-Catholic countries) are being sceptical and trying to find things to criticise about the Pope - the Guardian even accuses him of being somehow implicated in the kidnapping of Jesuits during the Argentinian Junta! Totally far-fetched.. But then, they are always quite hostile towards Catholicism and the Pope anyway.
Mark Frendo
Mar 16th, 12:50
Well said. Christ should be the centre of the Church and not the pope as has, and partly is still, being the common practice of many Christians.
Paul Zammit
Mar 16th, 12:49
I, a gentile/pagan -by the church's standards- think that I am gonna be seriously liking this pope.
j brincat
Mar 16th, 12:48
If he wants austere a more Catholic Church the he has a grave problem here (Malta & Gozo)!
jb
G Portelli
Mar 16th, 13:21
The church is doing a lot for the poor and needy here in Malta. It has been doing what the state should have done in the first place. There are homes for all sort of problems ran by the church, there are schools ran by the church for free. What do you mean by 'grave problem'?
Reuben D. Spiteri
Mar 16th, 13:24
The usual doom and gloom nay-sayer, aren't you Mr. Brincat?
Joseph Borg
Mar 16th, 12:45
Nispera li mhux paroli biss. Tista tibda billi tqassam il gid li ghandu l-vatican madwar id dinja kollha.
John A cassar
Mar 16th, 15:42
Joseph, il-Knisja ilha tqassam il-gid taghha ghal sekli twal. Xhieda ta` dan huma; lis-sptarijiet, klinici, skejjel, orfantarofji, djar ghall-anzjani u bosta progetti kbar ohra li qed tmexxi fl-artijiet tal-missjoni. F'dawn il-pajjizi fejn ma waslux il-gvernijiet waslet il-Knisja Kattolika.
Matthew Grima
Mar 17th, 12:42
Bil flus ta hadd iehor.
Joseph Grech
Mar 16th, 12:30
This is not something to be applauded lightly, in my opinion. The concept is magnificent and very intuitive, but he will the Church be able to help the poor without a solid capital, which is the reason to their poverty in the first place. My argument is only valid as long as we are referring to poverty which is existing due to low finances, of course, and not spiritual poverty.
Please choose the reason of your report below: