Pope Francis brings the smackdown in annual Christmas message to the Curia

[sio]

Pope Francis issued a blistering critique Monday of the Vatican bureaucracy that serves him, denouncing how some people lust for power at all costs, live hypocritical double lives and suffer from "spiritual Alzheimer's" that has made them forget they're supposed to be joyful men of God.

Comments

[dissident]

Someone please give him a full robe of Kevlar. People have been killed for speaking out against much less.

[scolaro]

The more Francis walks around criticizing his own institution the more I'm reminded of the movie with Robbie Coltrane. Not sure how the "mistake" of Francis' election happened, but I'm sure the people in charge of it aren't happy with the result.

Which, incidentally, makes me happy. >:)

[bbmaniac]

this Pope ROCKS. And that's all.

[shortsweetcynic]

i know he's not perfect, not by a long shot, but this is probably the first religious figure i've seen even attempting to practice what they preach. it's refreshing and long, long overdue.

[tabaqui]

No kidding. He might actually do good, if no one knifes him in his sleep. The entire greedy and power-hungry monolith of the Vatican/Church needs to be swept clean.

[amyura]

Agreed.

[spiritoftherain]

but this is probably the first religious figure i've seen even attempting to practice what they preach.

The Dalai Lama doesn't qualify?

[fabrisse]

I fell in love with this Pope when he was the first one in modern memory to pay his hotel bill after his election.

I am more than a little worried about his continued good health, but he seems to be doing his best to walk the walk.