Pope Francis
Clerical sex abuse[edit]
Seeking forgiveness and promising accountability
'I beg your forgiveness, too, for the sins of omission on the part of Church leaders who did not respond adequately to reports of abuse made by family members, as well as by abuse victims themselves.' (7/7/2014) [1]
Francis feels personally responsible for evil priests
'I feel compelled to take personal responsibility for all the evil that some priests, many - many in number, (although) not in comparison with the totality - to assume personal responsibility and to ask forgiveness for the damage caused by the sexual abuse of the children.' (4/11/2014) [2]
Drugs[edit]
Opposing the legalization of recreational drugs
'To think that harm can be reduced by permitting drug addicts to use narcotics in no way resolves the problem.' (9/11/2014) [3]
Gay rights[edit]
No judgement for gays
'They say they exist. If someone is gay, who searches for the Lord and has goodwill, who am I to judge?' (7/28/2013) [4]
No to gay marriage
'The family is also threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage.' (1/16/2015) [5]
Economic views[edit]
Capitalism is flawed, income distribution needed
'We can no longer trust in the unseen forces and the ‘invisible hand’ of the market. Growth in justice requires more than economic growth ... a better distribution of income ... The economy can no longer turn to remedies ... such as attempting to increase profits by reducing the work force and thereby adding to the ranks of the excluded.' (11/26/2013) [6]
Global warming[edit]
Global warming real, caused by humans
'Numerous scientific studies indicate that the greater part of the global warming in recent decades is due to the great concentration of greenhouse gases…given off above all because of human activity.' (6/15/2015) [7]
Freedom of speech[edit]
'One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other people's faith, one cannot make fun of faith.' (1/15/2015) [8]