Pope Francis in his Christmas homily denounces materialism
Pope Francis has warned the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics not to be "intoxicated" by possessions in his annual Christmas homily.
He called for more sobriety in a world obsessed by "consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance".
The Pope was celebrating a Christmas eve Mass in St Peter's Basilica in front of about 10,000 people.
Celebrating Mass, the Pope said Christmas was the time to "once more discover who we are".
He called on believers to show the same simplicity as the child Jesus, "born into poverty in a manger despite his divinity" to inspire their lives.
"In a society so often intoxicated by consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance, appearances and narcissism, this child calls us to act soberly, in other words, in a way that is simple, balanced, consistent, capable of seeing and doing what is essential," he said.
"Amid a culture of indifference which not infrequently turns ruthless, our style of life should instead be devout, filled with empathy, compassion and mercy."
We could all benefit from such advice …
WT ........... Why do you object to the new buildings .......... ? You can invest in cement companies and earn profits ..................... People get employment in doing so ........ buildings are essential ...............
But who gives them money to splurge ? ....................
But what are they doing here? They build a new mall, and then another mall, and then another mall, and then ...