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| Morales crucifix gift to Pope Francis causes stir | Morales crucifix gift to Pope Francis causes stir |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A crucifix sculpted in the shape of a hammer and sickle presented to Pope Francis in Bolivia has caused a stir among Catholic commentators. | A crucifix sculpted in the shape of a hammer and sickle presented to Pope Francis in Bolivia has caused a stir among Catholic commentators. |
| The Pope was given the item, combining Catholic and communist symbols, by left-wing Bolivian President Evo Morales. | The Pope was given the item, combining Catholic and communist symbols, by left-wing Bolivian President Evo Morales. |
| One Catholic bishop suggested that Mr Morales had sought to "manipulate God". | One Catholic bishop suggested that Mr Morales had sought to "manipulate God". |
| But while some reports said the Pope was taken aback by the present, the Vatican has played down any row. | But while some reports said the Pope was taken aback by the present, the Vatican has played down any row. |
| The crucifix was based on a design by Luis Espinal, a Jesuit Priest assassinated in 1980 by right-wing militia to whom Pope Francis paid tribute during his trip. | |
| Bolivia's communications minister, Marianela Paco, told Bolivian radio: "The sickle evokes the peasant, the hammer the carpenter, representing humble workers, God's people," adding there was "no other" motive behind the gift. | Bolivia's communications minister, Marianela Paco, told Bolivian radio: "The sickle evokes the peasant, the hammer the carpenter, representing humble workers, God's people," adding there was "no other" motive behind the gift. |
| There are differing interpretations of Pope Francis' thoughts on it. | There are differing interpretations of Pope Francis' thoughts on it. |
| Some reports say the Pope was embarrassed, telling Mr Morales "this isn't good". | Some reports say the Pope was embarrassed, telling Mr Morales "this isn't good". |
| But the Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi, said it was more likely Pope Francis had expressed surprise at the origins of the gift. | But the Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi, said it was more likely Pope Francis had expressed surprise at the origins of the gift. |
| "I don't think I would put this symbol on an altar in a church however," he added. | "I don't think I would put this symbol on an altar in a church however," he added. |
| The Pope himself has been accused of having Marxist leanings, after mounting strong criticisms of capitalism and inequality. | The Pope himself has been accused of having Marxist leanings, after mounting strong criticisms of capitalism and inequality. |
| One of the strongest reactions came from Spanish bishop Jose Ignacio Munilla, who tweeted: "The height of arrogance is to manipulate God for the service of atheist ideologies." | One of the strongest reactions came from Spanish bishop Jose Ignacio Munilla, who tweeted: "The height of arrogance is to manipulate God for the service of atheist ideologies." |
| "This is a provocation, a joke" said Bolivian Bishop Gonzalo del Castillo, quoted by the AFP news agency. | "This is a provocation, a joke" said Bolivian Bishop Gonzalo del Castillo, quoted by the AFP news agency. |
| There was also anger on the Facebook pages of the Catholic News Agency. "One cannot simply combine Communism and Christianity!", wrote one user, "Evo the arrogant. How can a Hammer and Sickle be non-political?" wrote another. | There was also anger on the Facebook pages of the Catholic News Agency. "One cannot simply combine Communism and Christianity!", wrote one user, "Evo the arrogant. How can a Hammer and Sickle be non-political?" wrote another. |
| But one comment read: "This is no insult to Pope Francis, this is in memory of the Jesuit Martyr, who died defending the poor and oppressed of Bolivia." | But one comment read: "This is no insult to Pope Francis, this is in memory of the Jesuit Martyr, who died defending the poor and oppressed of Bolivia." |
| He next visits Paraguay, the third and final country on his tour of Latin America. | He next visits Paraguay, the third and final country on his tour of Latin America. |