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Yuri Cortez / AFP - Getty Images
Wearing a large brim traditional Mexican hat, Pope Benedict XVI waves at the crowd upon arriving at Bicentennial Park in Silao, Guanajuato State, Mexico on March 25.
Dario Lopez-Mills / AP
Pilgrims cheer and sing as they wait at the site where Pope Benedict XVI will give a Mass in Bicentennial Park near Silao, Mexico.
Pope Benedict XVI rode in the popemobile through an enthusiastic crowd in Silao, Mexico en route to the Mass at Bicentennial Park. One person handed the pope a broad-brimmed Mexican sombrero that he wore on his way to the altar at the sun-drenched park.
Many Mexicans said they were surprised by the warmth of Benedict, whose image is more reserved and academic than his popular predecessor, John Paul II, who was dubbed "Mexico's pope."
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--Msnbc.com wire services contributed to this post
Alberto Pizzoli / AFP - Getty Images
Pope Benedict XVI is helped with a large brim traditional Mexican hat, as a crowd greetes him on his arrival at Bicentennial Park in Silao, Mexico.
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How culturally insensitive sombreros should be red velvet, black velvet is used for paintings. :)
If trully the pope loves these 'third world' nations he could give the godly order to release the massive wealth hoarded by his organisation to help the poor and needy and not handout "bread crumps" to them. For all you should be aware his organisation and religion is the most richest in the world. They gain from gold, oil drugs, properties, selling children and wars. They ofcourse they gain also from the offerings, donations and the penance catholic members pay for their sins.
Pastors are also rich in the US. They do not pay taxes and live at the expense of the people going to their churches. They are like popes in their cities and towns. If Catholics want to give money is ok.. you can give your money whetever your faith is, but protestants are not better.
Though I am sure I could never change the mind of "citizen of the planet", I thought it might be best to give a critique of what he/she said in order to clarify any and all misconceptions in what has been posted. Note that I am not a spokesperson for the Catholic Church, just a layman with my own thoughts on the Church, both positive and negative.
If trully (sic) the pope loves these 'third world' nations he could give the godly order to release the massive wealth hoarded by his organisation to help the poor and needy and not handout "bread crumps (sic)" to them.
It is not really clear what is meant by "massive wealth". If this is a reference to the supposed "wealth of the Vatican that should be sold off", then I would have to ask why it should be so. And if one is to buy it, then would it not be better for the buyers to donate the money directly to the poor, rather than dismantle a series of paintings and gold art that is open for all to see? This also begs a question, in that it asks why the Catholic Church does not do enough to help the poor. This alone is strange, knowing that there is no larger charitable organization in the world than the Catholic Church, and many do get helped by the Church.
For all you should be aware his organisation and religion is the most richest in the world.
I find this statement intriguing, being that it is referred to as "his" organization. The pope does not own the Catholic Church, for it is not his personal possession. I am also not sure if it is in fact the richest organization in the world, but even if it is, would be something to be wrong? I don't think so.
They gain from gold, oil drugs (sic), properties, selling children and wars. They ofcourse (sic) they (sic) gain also from the offerings, donations and the penance catholic members pay for their sins.
This statement is most bizarre. Gold has value, but there is nothing gained unless it is sold. I am not sure what "oil drugs" is. Properties - well, yes, the Church has a lot of property, but what is wrong with this? "Selling children" - not true, and very weird to say. "Wars" - could one be specific? There hasn't been a War run by the Catholic Church (or more specifically, a certain part of the Catholic Church) in a very long time. There is definitely not a war run by the entire Catholic Church in this day and age. And finally, no one pays money as a penance. Even the "selling of indulgences" that Martin Luther rightly protested against was not about this.
I hope this has helped clarify. God bless you all.