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Pope Francis is no moral leader

Pope Francis is no moral leader

Pope Frances shows sympathy for Vladimir Putin’s claim that the expansion of NATO was a provocation – a justification for invading Ukraine.

Francis is proving again that he is no religious leader who bases his words and actions on solid moral ground.  He is the same fellow who made pragmatic accommodations with the brutal Peronist regime in his native Argentina.

If he wants to be the pragmatic and worldly head-of-state, that is his prerogative.  But spare us the mock piety and moral pretense.

Francis has condemned the war in Ukraine without taking sides – as an establishment diplomat might.  He has said that neither side wins because there is death on both sides.  So far, so good.

But he then goes on to say that NATO’s expansion provoked Russian war criminal Putin.   The Pope goes on to say that a “wise” head-of-state told him as much before the invasion.  This is not the first time the un-Holy Father suggested that Russia had legitimate concerns about the encroachment of NATO.  Specifically, he was referring to the addition of such nations as Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, etc.

Francis will not name the “wise” head-of-state … of course.  When one accommodates evil, transparency is never an option.

There is nothing wrong or immoral for free nations to form alliances.  Just because Putin is f-ing paranoid does not give him justification to invade and kill.  Putin is not only a mass murderer, but he is conducting his war in an effort to create starvation.  He is stealing Ukraine’s grain – and destroying what he is not stealing.  He is blocking the transportation routes that would enable the grain to be sent to nations in Africa – nations that will now experience starvation.

What Francis ignores is that NATO is purely a defensive alliance.  It poses no threat to Mother Russia.  In fact, it is not even engaging with Russia militarily as Putin mercilessly invades a sovereign UN member that poses no threat to Russia.

Incredibly, Francis has cautioned against viewing the war as a conflict between good and evil.  THAT statement – in and of itself – strips the Pope of any moral authority.  If he does not see the killing of tens of thousands of innocent men, women, and children in a vicious attack on a peaceful nation as abject evil, then the Pope is complicit in mass murder.  It makes the dubious accusations against Pope Pious XII as a Nazi sympathizer look like a minor indiscretion.

If Francis can make excuses for the likes of Putin, maybe he can find justification for ISIS.  Or maybe he can blame the United States for provoking the 9/11 attack.

It is hard to know if Pope Francis is a socialist or a communist based on his hard-left leanings, but we can certainly say without fear of refutation that he is NOT a religious leader with a sound moral foundation. 

Memo to Pope Francis:  The War on Ukraine IS a clear division between good and evil – and you are equivocating like you did in Argentina.  You are giving aid and comfort to evil.

So, there ‘tis.

About The Author

Larry Horist

So, there ‘tis… The opinions, perspectives and analyses of businessman, conservative writer and political strategist Larry Horist. Larry has an extensive background in economics and public policy. For more than 40 years, he ran his own Chicago based consulting firm. His clients included such conservative icons as Steve Forbes and Milton Friedman. He has served as a consultant to the Nixon White House and travelled the country as a spokesman for President Reagan’s economic reforms. Larry professional emphasis has been on civil rights and education. He was consultant to both the Chicago and the Detroit boards of education, the Educational Choice Foundation, the Chicago Teachers Academy and the Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts. Larry has testified as an expert witness before numerous legislative bodies, including the U. S. Congress, and has lectured at colleges and universities, including Harvard, Northwestern and DePaul. He served as Executive Director of the City Club of Chicago, where he led a successful two-year campaign to save the historic Chicago Theatre from the wrecking ball. Larry has been a guest on hundreds of public affairs talk shows, and hosted his own program, “Chicago In Sight,” on WIND radio. An award-winning debater, his insightful and sometimes controversial commentaries have appeared on the editorial pages of newspapers across the nation. He is praised by audiences for his style, substance and sense of humor. Larry retired from his consulting business to devote his time to writing. His books include a humorous look at collecting, “The Acrapulators’ Guide”, and a more serious history of the Democratic Party’s role in de facto institutional racism, “Who Put Blacks in That PLACE? -- The Long Sad History of the Democratic Party’s Oppression of Black Americans ... to This Day”. Larry currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

9 Comments

  1. Ben

    No pope is a moral leader. The Catholic Church is the world’s largest cult.

  2. Joe

    This pope is off his rocker, just like dementia,senile,racist,perv,frail,old,puppet,dementia,joe.Pathetic

  3. Tom

    I agree Larry. I just wish people would stop thinking its all about NATO encroachment. Its not. Its all about control of the vast resources of the eastern part of Ukraine, oil, rare earth minerals, grain, etc. That is why Hitler wanted it, and exactly why Putin wants it. The NATO excuse is a sham.

  4. priscilla m. mazurek

    Pope Francis has never really supported Ukraine, despite the Ukrainian Eastern Rite or Greek Catholic being part of the Pope’s flock. In earlier history, attempts were made to make Ukrainians Roman Catholic. Eastern Rite or Greek Catholic Ukrainians were strong in their beliefs and culture, and were incorporated into the Pope’s flock as a distinct Catholic doctrine.

    The Pope’s neglect of Ukrainian Eastern Rite or Greek Catholics is palpable. Ukrainians are experiencing scorched earth, carnage and destruction. War crimes are committed every minute. Should not the Pope speak out against these barbaric acts? Ukrainians are not killing
    Russian civilians, stealing their property/land or scorching their earth. It seems that Pope Francis does not want to challenge Putin or Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church. Kirill is being sanctioned by the EU for supporting the war. Many Ukrainians are Orthodox Christians and want peace.

    What is wrong with this picture? NATO provocation does not warrant these horrific acts by Putin and Russia. The Pope and the world are watching a war movie taking place in Ukraine with very limited intervention. Has the meaning of morality changed?

    I agree with the author, Larry Horist. Very insightful article. Thanks for calling the Pope out!

    Please help and support Ukraine..

    A Ukrainian American

  5. john fudacz

    this socalled pope should dont follow bible teachings ,he make up his own bible ,!! look at his abortion ideas , he supports it !! i guess he dont belive a fetus is not a human life ,supporting fag or gay marriages ! this just proves the catholic religion is as corupt as the biden administration!

    • Ben

      Yeah, John, you go boy, teach the Pope your Bible. Yeah baby.

      • Lonnie

        Happy coonteenth Ben

        • Ben

          Racist right back at ya, Loonie.
          How many crackers in your box?

          • Lonnie

            My pleasure