Pope John Paul and a Critique of Western Capitalism

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After today's burial of John Paul II, a remaining question is which of his teachings will live on. While his views on personal morality are well known, the Pope placed equal emphasis on economic and social justice. Visiting Cuba, the anti-communist Pope criticized the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, asserting that an unfettered free market will serve only the powerful few at the cost of increased poverty for multitudes of the poor. Are President Bush and other western leaders picking and choosing among Papal teachings? Given the wealth of the Vatican, was the Pope himself inconsistent? We hear more about Pope John Paul's teachings on economics and social justice from journalists, political commentators, foreign policy experts, historians and economists. Making News: The Funeral of Pope John Paul II It's reported that four million visitors came to Rome this week, more than the permanent population of the entire city. What's the relationship between Italians, the Pope and the Church? Beppe Severgnini, columnist for Italy's Corriere Della Serra, takes a final look at the extraordinary media event watched around the world for the past seven days. Reporter's Notebook: Embattled Presidential Candidacy of the Mayor of Mexico City Thousands of Mexicans turned out yesterday in Mexico City on behalf of leftist Andr-s Manuel L-pez Obrador. The Mexico City Mayor is accused of ignoring a restraining order to build a road to a hospital across land of disputed ownership. Professor Denise Dresser of Mexico's Autonomous Technological Institute, writes that by lifting his immunity from prosecution, Mexico's Chamber of Deputies is "undermining democracy."
After today's burial of John Paul II, a remaining question is which of his teachings will live on. While his views on personal morality are well known, the Pope placed equal emphasis on economic and social justice. Visiting Cuba, the anti-communist Pope criticized the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, asserting that an unfettered free market will serve only the powerful few at the cost of increased poverty for multitudes of the poor. Are President Bush and other western leaders picking and choosing among Papal teachings? Given the wealth of the Vatican, was the Pope himself inconsistent? We hear more about Pope John Paul's teachings on economics and social justice from journalists, political commentators, foreign policy experts, historians and economists.
  • Making News: The Funeral of Pope John Paul II
    It's reported that four million visitors came to Rome this week, more than the permanent population of the entire city. What's the relationship between Italians, the Pope and the Church? Beppe Severgnini, columnist for Italy's Corriere Della Serra, takes a final look at the extraordinary media event watched around the world for the past seven days.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Embattled Presidential Candidacy of the Mayor of Mexico City
    Thousands of Mexicans turned out yesterday in Mexico City on behalf of leftist Andr-s Manuel L-pez Obrador. The Mexico City Mayor is accused of ignoring a restraining order to build a road to a hospital across land of disputed ownership. Professor Denise Dresser of Mexico's Autonomous Technological Institute, writes that by lifting his immunity from prosecution, Mexico's Chamber of Deputies is "undermining democracy."

Pope John Paul II's 1999 "Ecclesia in America"

President Bush promoting the "culture of life"

International Monetary Fund

World Bank

Clark's commentary, "Reading Terri Schiavo"

Engler's FPIF commentary, "John Paul II's Economic Ethics"

Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel L-pez Obrador

Dresser's column on attacks against Mexico City Mayor

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney