Pope Francis responded to some ultra-conservatives in an interview with an Italian newspaper saying he is not a "Marxist" and that even Marxist can be good people, according to MSN News.
Conservative sections of the media and society have been criticizing the actions of Francis since he was elected pope saying he was leaning towards the ideological left, the report said.
For instance, conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh railed against Pope Francis for the latter's pronouncements against the state of the world economy. Limbaugh, who is not Catholic and have a huge following in the U.S., accused the pope for making Marxist remarks. Limbaugh also accused the pope of going "beyond Catholicism" and being "purely political," the report said.
When asked about having Marxist inclinations, the Pope made clear of his stance.
"Marxist ideology is wrong. But in my life I have known many Marxists who are good people, so I don't feel offended," Francis said.
The criticisms have taken shape right after the pope released Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel) in which Francis attacked the new tyranny of capitalism saying that unfettered capitalism leads to more exclusion and inequality for many people around the world.
Besides his views on the state of the world economy, ultra-conservatives have also criticized him for not having a clear stance on several issues such as homosexuality and abortion - topics that could immediately fire conservatives up.
Francis' predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, were very vocal about their stance against homosexuality and abortion. Francis, however, extends pastoral care and compassion saying he was not in a position to pass judgments against homosexuals because they could be people of good will sincerely seeking God. Francis is calling for compassion, understanding, and inclusion.
During the interview, the pope was also asked about his stance on women in the clergy and the internal reforms he wants the Vatican to undertake, specifically its finances.
He denied reports that he would name the Catholic Church's first woman cardinal and said he "doesn't know don't know where that idea comes from and that "women in the Church should be valued, not 'clericalized'."
With regard to Vatican bank's finances, it was recently reported that Francis formed a committee of eight cardinals from around to world who will serve as his advisers when making reforms. The committee is set to submit its first formal recommendations February 2014.
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