Pope Francis disparaged so-called trickle-down economic theory, saying the pandemic has shown that free-market policies cannot solve all of humanity's most dire needs.

"The marketplace by itself cannot resolve every problem, however much we are asked to believe this dogma of neoliberal faith," the pope wrote.

He added that free-market capitalism "reproduces itself" by resorting to the magic theories of "spillover" or "trickle" as the only solution to societal problems.

The pope said this "spillover" does not "resolve the inequality that gives rise to new forms of violence threatening the fabric of society."

The encyclical, called "Fratelli Tutti," or "Brothers All," reiterated the pope's vision for a more communal society, which extends to the use of private property.

"The Christian tradition has never recognized the right to private property as absolute or inviolable and has stressed the social purpose of all forms of private property," the pope wrote.

He also touched on racism, calling it a "virus that quickly mutates and instead of disappearing goes into hiding and lurks in waiting."

The pope also questioned why it took so long for the Catholic Church to unequivocally to condemn slavery.

  • yang [they/them, any]
    1·
    4 years ago

    I was skeptical at first, but critical support for Pope Francis. He actually seems to be trying to make a difference in his position.

    • bilb [he/him]
      ·
      4 years ago

      Whatever else can be said about Pope Francis, he seems to be from the South American catholic tradition of actually giving a fuck about the poor and humanity in general. That's why my catholic parents hate him.

      • cilantrofellow [any]
        ·
        4 years ago

        liberation theology is a mixed bag. On the one hand, let's enrich the lives of the less fortunate. On the other, fuck "communism" because opium quote and women are baby machines.

          • tetrabrick [xey/xem, she/her]
            ·
            4 years ago

            yeah for example Damon Garcia seems like a cool example. I wish there was more cooperation, for example the churches have great logistic for direct action and also can help to propagate our message

            • Blarglefargle [he/him]
              ·
              4 years ago

              He is good. I also recommend the work of Jon Sobrino, starting with “Jesus the Liberator”

              And there is cooperation between churches and leftists. Not nearly as much as before but remeber The civil rights movement was Lead and organized by the black faith community. BLM got its first major support base in black churches, hell id you Look at a lot of outreach or prep test groups in most major cities there’s probably one religious figure involved in it.