Pope calls for UN reform.

[Gift-of-god]

So, the Pope has demanded a reform of the UN wherein they exclude all nations with theocratic governments including Israel, make abortion and same-sex marriage illegal everywhere in the world, and cuts off funding to health programs involving contraception.

Actually, that's not true. He's actually calling for a UN that promotes 'disarmament, food security and environmental protection.'

The Pope has called for reform of the United Nations and financial bodies, giving them the "real teeth" needed to tackle economic and social injustice.

Benedict XVI said the blind pursuit of profit and economic mismanagement had "wreaked havoc" on the global economy.

The market, said the Pope, must not become the place where the strong prevail over the weak.

So, rather than continue with the expected social conservative agenda, it seems that the Vatican is heading in an economically 'progressive' or leftist direction. Or whatever you want to call a regulated economy that protects the less fortunate. This puts the Vatican on the same team as many progressive NGOs and other organisations that have normally not looked at the Catholic Church as an ally. Do you think that this sort of position by the Vatican will create new alliances in the fight against economic injustice?

[Buffett and Colbert]

It's not surprising that the Vatican is actually contributing to the international world, they are a country after all. Unfortunately, Benedict XVI is very conservative and will push the agendas in the future I expect. I liked Pope John Paul II better...

[Greed and Death]

Tell the pope to stay out of world politics.

[EvilDarkMagicians]

Tell the pope to stay out of world politics.

I agree..he has no buisnesses ditacting how the UN should be run.

[Greed and Death]

Tell the pope to stay out of world politics.

I agree..he has no buisnesses ditacting how the UN should be run.

Not to mention we don't need yet another whiny person crying about how unfair the market is.

[Buffett and Colbert]

The Holy See is a legal country and they have every right to petition the UN, especially for something about the economy (since it doesn't seem to be pusing a conservative agenda).

[Gift-of-god]

Tell the pope to stay out of world politics.

Next time we chat, I'll let him know what you think. He'll give me the same answer he usually does, though.

He'll say that the world's largest landowner, and head of the world's largest religion, and perhaps the single greatest player in European history, can not help but be a part of world politics. The question then is how are they going to throw their impressive weight around?

Apparently, they're looking at the market.

[Barringtonia]

Benedict XVI said the blind pursuit of profit and economic mismanagement had "wreaked havoc" on the global economy.

I bet he lost millions on the stock exchange, some remorse eh Bendydick?

EDIT: Oh wait a minute, it's donations as well, silly me, I didn't think to include that...

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican said Saturday it ran a deficit in 2008 as its finances and donations from across the world were hit by the global economic crisis.

The Vatican posted a budget deficit for a second straight year, though the figures improved strongly from 2007. The Holy See's 2008 deficit was around euro0.9 million ($1.28 million), compared with a loss of euro9.06 million a year earlier.

[Buffett and Colbert]

Tell the pope to stay out of world politics.

Next time we chat, I'll let him know what you think. He'll give me the same answer he usually does, though.

He'll say that the world's largest landowner, and head of the world's largest religion, and perhaps the single greatest player in European history, can not help but be a part of world politics. The question then is how are they going to throw their impressive weight around?

Apparently, they're looking at the market.

Actually, I don't think they do have that much weight in the international community. Sure they could persuade 1 million people to stone Ban Ki Moon, but I don't think the Ambassadors to the UN are going to be easily swayed unless they have genuinely good ideas.

[Greed and Death]

The Holy See is a legal country and they have every right to petition the UN, especially for something about the economy (since it doesn't seem to be pusing a conservative agenda).

1st Vatican city is not a member of the UN.
2nd the church has economically been left for awhile.
(the last pope was hard on communism yes, but he was also hard on capitalism).
3rd Just because someone agrees with you does not make his right to speak any more or less true.

[East Canuck]

Tell the pope to stay out of world politics.

I agree..he has no buisnesses ditacting how the UN should be run.

Just like every other speaker and head of state that ever addressed the UN. That didn't stop them from pushing their cause and the pope will do the same, thankyouverymuch.

[Greed and Death]

Tell the pope to stay out of world politics.

I agree..he has no buisnesses ditacting how the UN should be run.

Just like every other speaker and head of state that ever addressed the UN. That didn't stop them from pushing their cause and the pope will do the same, thankyouverymuch.

then perhaps he would like to become a full member of the UN, like every other nation on earth.

[Gift-of-god]

Actually, I don't think they do have that much weight in the international community. Sure they could persuade 1 million people to stone Ban Ki Moon, but I don't think the Ambassadors to the UN are going to be easily swayed unless they have genuinely good ideas.

Their power dwindles each day, but even if they were just to try to enact their policies by using their economic might to make differences, it would be substantial. If we then add their influence on powerful Catholics, it could be even more. I think a lot would depend on what sort of allies they can find.

[East Canuck]

The Holy See is a legal country and they have every right to petition the UN, especially for something about the economy (since it doesn't seem to be pusing a conservative agenda).

1st Vatican city is not a member of the UN.
2nd the church has economically been left for awhile.
(the last pope was hard on communism yes, but he was also hard on capitalism).
3rd Just because someone agrees with you does not make his right to speak any more or less true.

1st, the vatican city has special status within the UN and can speak like other countries.
2nd, you're right.
3rd, you're right too!

[Buffett and Colbert]

The Holy See is a legal country and they have every right to petition the UN, especially for something about the economy (since it doesn't seem to be pusing a conservative agenda).

1st Vatican city is not a member of the UN.
2nd the church has economically been left for awhile.
(the last pope was hard on communism yes, but he was also hard on capitalism).
3rd Just because someone agrees with you does not make his right to speak any more or less true.

You by no means have to be a member of the UN to speak there. Hell, a teenage girl once spoke at the UN! A political party of my island is setting up a conference at the United Nations! And everybody, has the right to speak, no matter what their opinions are.

[Plankton City]

So, the Pope has demanded a reform of the UN wherein they exclude all nations with theocratic governments including Israel, make abortion and same-sex marriage illegal everywhere in the world, and cuts off funding to health programs involving contraception.

Actually, that's not true. He's actually calling for a UN that promotes 'disarmament, food security and environmental protection.'

The Pope has called for reform of the United Nations and financial bodies, giving them the "real teeth" needed to tackle economic and social injustice.

Benedict XVI said the blind pursuit of profit and economic mismanagement had "wreaked havoc" on the global economy.

The market, said the Pope, must not become the place where the strong prevail over the weak.

So, rather than continue with the expected social conservative agenda, it seems that the Vatican is heading in an economically 'progressive' or leftist direction. Or whatever you want to call a regulated economy that protects the less fortunate. This puts the Vatican on the same team as many progressive NGOs and other organisations that have normally not looked at the Catholic Church as an ally. Do you think that this sort of position by the Vatican will create new alliances in the fight against economic injustice?

I find this hard to believe.

[Jbeil]

Tell the pope to stay out of world politics.

Next time we chat, I'll let him know what you think. He'll give me the same answer he usually does, though.

He'll say that the world's largest landowner, and head of the world's largest religion, and perhaps the single greatest player in European history, can not help but be a part of world politics. The question then is how are they going to throw their impressive weight around?

Apparently, they're looking at the market.

Actually, I don't think they do have that much weight in the international community. Sure they could persuade 1 million people to stone Ban Ki Moon, but I don't think the Ambassadors to the UN are going to be easily swayed unless they have genuinely good ideas.

Actually,the roman catholic church claims over a billion members,representing approximately half of all Christians and one-sixth of the world's population.But it's true the church's influence is starting to become weaker as more and more people stop going to church and caring much about it.So the UN might not care a lot about the pope.

[Greed and Death]

The Holy See is a legal country and they have every right to petition the UN, especially for something about the economy (since it doesn't seem to be pusing a conservative agenda).

1st Vatican city is not a member of the UN.
2nd the church has economically been left for awhile.
(the last pope was hard on communism yes, but he was also hard on capitalism).
3rd Just because someone agrees with you does not make his right to speak any more or less true.

You by no means have to be a member of the UN to speak there. Hell, a teenage girl once spoke at the UN! A political party of my island is setting up a conference at the United Nations! And everybody, has the right to speak, no matter what their opinions are.

In most cases an observer has to go through an intermediary(who is a full member) to speak, in most cases if your group is a member of a country its that country. If no one wants to listen to you speak, you have as much right to speak as any other loon trying to speak when not asked in congress.
The only two exceptions are the Holy See and Palestine.
I disagree with both.
The holy see because it is religious favoritism on the part of Catholic countries.
And Palestine because they deserve the right to vote and other full member rights.

More over if they deny Taiwan observer status it is silly to allow the holy see.

[Animillenia]

Religion, in my opinion, should have no say on how the government is run. I, being a supporter of gay rights and freedom for all and such, do not want to see people denied freedoms that they deserve because a book or a deity demands it so.

I believe in God, but not the Bible, as it clashes with too many of my personal beliefs.

[Greed and Death]

Religion, in my opinion, should have no say on how the government is run. I, being a supporter of gay rights and freedom for all and such, do not want to see people denied freedoms that they deserve because a book or a deity demands it so.

I believe in God, but not the Bible, as it clashes with too many of my personal beliefs.

Don't worry the left will be right back to hating him after he condemns gay people or abortion doctors again.

[Parthenon]

As figure head for 1/6 of the world's population and the leader of a sovereign entity he has every right to call for reformations to the "United Nations". Hell, anyone NOT calling for reformations of the vastly ineffective organization is off their rocker.

[Greed and Death]

As figure head for 1/6 of the world's population and the leader of a sovereign entity he has every right to call for reformations to the "United Nations". Hell, anyone NOT calling for reformations of the vastly ineffective organization is off their rocker.

Anyone not calling for disbandment is off their rocker.

[Parthenon]

As figure head for 1/6 of the world's population and the leader of a sovereign entity he has every right to call for reformations to the "United Nations". Hell, anyone NOT calling for reformations of the vastly ineffective organization is off their rocker.

Anyone not calling for disbandment is off their rocker.

Well ill be damned, something we agree on.

[Bottle]

It may not be possible for human to ever know if there is a god, but when a guy who is guilty of promoting genocide insists that the UN needs to have more power to combat injustice you can know one thing for sure: if there is a God, she's got a wicked sense of humor.

[Surote]

The pope needs to be quiet