Plenty of liberals were thrilled Thursday to hear what they could only assume was Pope Francis’ message to the Republican Party. In an interview with Jesuit magazine La Civilta Cattolica, the Pope said the Church “could fall like a house of cards” if it were to “insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods.” He further warned of divisiveness were the Church “to talk about these issues all the time.”
With more than a million Catholics to think of, it’s unlikely Pope Francis was speaking with the GOP in mind, but you wouldn’t know that from Twitter. Check out these converts.
Seriously, he keeps this up, and I'm gonna start going to mass. http://t.co/S6CbIfBzRj
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 19, 2013
New era at the Vatican? Pope Francis calls the Catholic Church’s focus on homosexuality and abortion “small-minded” http://t.co/ItO2qhmwEJ
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) September 19, 2013
If only the GOP could hire him as a consultant! RT @nytimes: Pope Bluntly Faults Church’s Focus on Gays and Abortion http://t.co/i7qujZe927
— Richard Robbins (@rich1) September 20, 2013
He wasn't talking about GOP? RT @TPM Pope criticizes "obsessed" church focus on abortion, gay marriage, contraception http://t.co/SGIOlmFV4M
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) September 19, 2013
I have a crush on Pope Francis.
— Nancy Lee Grahn (@NancyLeeGrahn) September 19, 2013
I am, I must confess, still reeling from Pope Francis’ new, lengthy and remarkable interview: http://t.co/hZrVJt8RN8
— Andrew Sullivan (@sullydish) September 19, 2013
"Pope Says Church Should Stop Obsessing Over Gays, Abortion"; he might usefully speak to the GOP as well . . . http://t.co/S80PWN9gcu
— Benn Steil (@BennSteil) September 19, 2013
https://twitter.com/NerdyWonka/status/380725484973068289
.@NerdyWonka Well, the Catholic church is actually trying to expand their membership. The @GOP, not so much.
— Spandan @ TPV (@thepeoplesview) September 19, 2013
The Republicans need a Pope Francis figure to save them from their smallness. Not a single candidate in their college of cardinals.
— Patrick Granfield (@pgranfield) September 19, 2013
Damn! Even the Pope thinks RWNJ Republicans are OBSESSED with thinking about how they can legislate a woman's uterus. #Fools
— S. Maxx Mahaffey (@smaxxmahaffey) September 19, 2013
Iranian regime seems to want a deal *and* the pope comes out against divisive litmus-test doctrinal obsession. And then there's the GOP.
— Kurt Andersen (@KBAndersen) September 19, 2013
It is now easier to become a liberal pope than it is to become a slightly moderate GOP candidate.
— CC:Indecision (@indecision) September 19, 2013
Pope says church obsessed w/abortion&gay marriage, enraging followers of Jesus, who never mentioned abortion&gay marriage.
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) September 19, 2013
GOP starts screaming for the impeachment of the Pope in 3, 2…
— ClinicEscort (@ClinicEscort) September 19, 2013
When's the House GOP vote to repeal the pope?
— Kaili Joy Gray (@KailiJoy) September 19, 2013
The Pope is now officially more progressive than the GOP party platform.
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) September 19, 2013
In tonight's Rewrite I will tell you what I learned in Catholic school that most Catholics don't know. But the Pope does. @TheLastWord 10pm
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) September 20, 2013
Pope Francis setting great example in humility and thought provoking open thinking. Really refreshing.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) September 20, 2013
I'm no Pat Robertson, but I believe God and Jesus would be Democrats … would bet money the new Pope is.
— Moe Davis (@ColMorrisDavis) September 20, 2013
https://twitter.com/Anti_Intellect/status/380758567600410624
Rebranding? It does sound a lot like Republicans talking about their “big tent.” A lot like it.
“This church with which we should be thinking is the home of all, not a small chapel that can hold only a small group of selected people,” the Pope said. “We must not reduce the bosom of the universal church to a nest protecting our mediocrity.” He also reaffirmed that the “most important thing is the first proclamation: Jesus Christ has saved you.” How many of these new “converts” will accept that teaching?
https://twitter.com/mattyglesias/status/380843547580440576
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