- Staff Notice
Pope Francis condemns world of materialism and poverty
Pope Francis has called on people in developed countries to live a simpler and less materialistic life.
He also condemned the huge divide between the world's rich and poor, saying Jesus's birth in poverty in a stable should make everyone reflect on the meaning of life.
He spoke out while leading a service in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican for the traditional Christmas Eve Mass.
He continued: "Let us ask ourselves: Do I really need all these material objects and complicated recipes for living? Can I manage without all these unnecessary extras and live a life of greater simplicity?
"For many people, life's meaning is found in possessing, in having an excess of material objects. An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when, paradoxically, a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive."
I agree with the message, just not the messenger. You can always count on the Catholic church to put a dampener on things.
With all the wealth that the Vatican has due to its history of rape and pillage, it's quite ironic that such sermons can come out of such a place. Ever seen a starving priest? No, neither have I.
People do live very materialistic lives now, but that's because they can. If you went back a hundred years and gave everyone the same amount of wealth that we now enjoy, would those people back then live any different lives to how we live now?
I don't think its wrong to have possessions and indulge yourself, but constant gluttony is not good. One percent of the world's population has ninety precent of the world's wealth. With some people feasting themselves on Christmas dinners today on their luxury yachts, there are others, millions, starving such in places such as in Yemen, but that doesn't make those on the yachts evil, just very, very lucky.
Should we all live simpler, less materialistic lives?
Why doesn't the church practice what it preaches?