Pope Francis’s comments about Christmas being a “charade” are bound to infuriate those who already suspect the Argentine-born Italian pontiff of commie-symp tendencies. But look at what he said:
“Christmas is approaching: there will be lights, parties, Christmas trees and nativity scenes … it’s all a charade. The world continues to go to war. The world has not chosen a peaceful path,” he said in a sermon. “There are wars today everywhere, and hate,” he said after the worst terror attack in French history, the bombing of a Russian airliner, a double suicide bombing in Lebanon, and a series of other deadly strikes.
“We should ask for the grace to weep for this world, which does not recognise the path to peace. To weep for those who live for war and have the cynicism to deny it,” the Argentine pontiff said, adding: “God weeps, Jesus weeps”. He continued: “Those who make war are damned, they’re delinquents. War can be ‘justified’ for many reasons. But when the whole world is at war, as it is today … there is no justification.”
The sermon threw a shadow over the start of the festive season at the Vatican, where a giant Christmas tree was unveiled.
No kidding. The unfolding events in Mali, coming on the heels of the attacks in Paris and terrorist incidents elsewhere, have announced the start of a global conflict that will pit Christendom against Islamic fundamentalism, as they have been pitted so many times before. Maybe those who forget history — Barack Obama, take a bow — really are condemned to repeat it. But why do we have to suffer for their willful, blind ignorance?
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