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A Conservative With a Common Touch
posted on March 14, 2013The New York Times‘ Emily Schmall and Larry Rohter profile new Pope Francis as a conservative priest who is attentive to the needs of the poor, as well as the first pope from the New World and the first Jesuit to hold the post. “Though he is averse to liberation theology, which he views as hopelessly tainted with Marxist ideology, Cardinal Bergoglio has emphasized outreach to the impoverished, and as cardinal of Buenos Aires he has overseen increased social services and evangelization in the slums,” they write. Liberation theologian Leonardo Boff told the Times, “I am encouraged by this choice, viewing it as a pledge for a church of simplicity and of ecological ideals.” “What is more, Mr. Boff said, Cardinal Bergoglio comes from the developing world, ‘outside the walls of Rome.'”