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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Pope Francis: God and Money

The new Roman Catholic Pontiff shared his 77th birthday today with homeless people, one of whom brought his dog inside the Vatican. It was a visual example of Pope Francis' informality and modest lifestyle, in contrast to what he has called the "idolatry of money."

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

The new Roman Catholic Pontiff shared his 77th birthday today with homeless people, one of whom brought his dog inside the Vatican. It was a visual example of Pope Francis' informality and modest lifestyle, in contrast to what he has called the "idolatry of money." In a recent statement he said, "It is vital that government leaders and financial leaders take heed and broaden their horizons, working to ensure that all citizens have dignified work, education and healthcare." This weekend, he denied right-wing accusations that he's a Marxist, while defending his criticism of capitalism and his focus on serving the poor. Is one of the world's most influential leaders pitting his church against the free market? Is he inserting religion into the realm of politics, or emphasizing the teachings of Jesus Christ, who warned against trying to serve both God and money?

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • KCRW placeholder

    Andrea Brody

    Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast

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    Benjamin Gottlieb

    Reporter, Fill-in Host

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    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

  • KCRW placeholder

    Mark Silk

    Trinity College

  • KCRW placeholder

    Chris Lowney

    one-time Jesuit seminarian

  • KCRW placeholder

    Jerry Muller

    Catholic University of America

    NewsNationalPolitics
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