Republican candidate Jeb Bush, a Catholic, took offense, remarking, ‘‘I don’t get economic policy from my bishops or my cardinals or my pope.’’ Other conservative critics branded the pope a Marxist.
But the tussle to label the pope is a vain one. Francis is no Marxist and ‘‘is opposed to both the extremes of unfettered markets and the collectivism of communism,’’ Sachs said.
Nor is he an ignoramus; Sachs added he has ‘‘studied deeply and widely’’ and been advised by scientists including many Nobel laureates.
Not that Francis reads economic treatises. ‘‘The pope doesn’t follow any particular school of economics,’’ said Tornielli. ‘‘What inspires him is what he has lived through, including a huge economic crisis in Argentina, and the social doctrine of the church.’’
Obama and Francis
At the White House, Obama and Francis, who will fly in from Cuba, will be ‘‘on the same page’’ on poverty and climate change, Ambassador Hackett said. Francis also is supportive of the Iran deal, he added.
Asked about differences over birth control, abortion and same-sex marriage, Hackett said: ‘‘There are differences. I don’t think that’s where they are going to put all their energies when they sit down one-on-one.”
These issues will feature prominently when Francis attends the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, where an estimated million people will attend a mass.
Whatever discord the pope’s visit will prompt, Hackett believes it will be unprecedented because of his pulling power - - dwarfing even presidential inaugurations.
The Secret Service, which is organizing security, “sees this as the biggest event ever,” Hackett said. “This is mammoth.”