Pope Francis' Record On Poverty Attracts Praise, Criticism From Catholic Church Scholars

Pope Francis celebrates his inaugural Mass with cardinals, inside the Sistine Chapel, at the Vatican on Thursday (photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano)

The day after his election, Pope Francis asked Argentine bishops to skip his formal installation on Tuesday and instead show "closeness" by doing "acts of charity for the neediest."

Perhaps more than popes in recent memory, Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, has quickly set the tone of his papacy by focusing on what Jesus called "the least of these," the poor and suffering on the lowest rungs of society. A Jesuit, Francis followed the tradition of his order whose members live simple, communal lives of poverty.

Reported anecdotes abound of Francis' symbolic first actions. Instead of adorning himself with an ornate gold cross as popes traditionally do, he wears a simple cross around his neck. Rather than riding in the "popemobile," he joined cardinals on a bus back to their temporary Vatican residence after his election. On Thursday, he stopped by the priests' residence where they had stayed before the papal conclave to grab his bags and pay his bill, reportedly to set an example of how priests should behave. Even before his election, he lived in a simple Buenos Aires apartment with another priest instead of an elaborate archbishop's residence and rode the bus to the chancery.

But though church observers expect Francis to more speak more frequently and loudly on economic issues than his predecessors, some are wondering if his words and symbolic acts will translate into action that helps solve the world's growing economic divides.

"It's very clear that he cares about the poor and I celebrate him bringing global poverty to the forefront. As a man from the Global South, I think he'll have a clearer idea about the global economic structures that privilege Europe and the U.S.," said Miguel A. De La Torre, a professor of Social Ethics and Latino/a Studies at Iliff School of Theology in Denver. "But I'm concerned his solution will be giving charity" to the poor.

But De La Torre said Francis in his previous roles did not significantly impact the roots of poverty.

"The more effective way of dealing with poverty is to change the social structures that create poverty, but when he was bishop and cardinal, we didn't see that. Quite the contrary, he was hostile toward liberation theology, for example," said De La Torre.

The popular activist movement arose in Latin America in the 1970s, and focused on God's identification with the oppressed and uplifting the poor. While its reach for social justice was praised by Pope John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, it also was criticized by Benedict, among other church leaders, for being Marxist.

De La Torre added that as the head of the nation's Jesuits in the 1970s, Francis also was criticized for not taking a strong stance against the "Dirty Wars," during which an Argentine military dictatorship resulted in the deaths or mysterious disappearances of thousands of leftist and political dissidents.

Yet, at the same time, as Buenos Aires' archbishop, Francis publicly clashed with the Argentine government and political figures. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, in the midst of a wrenching economic crisis in Argentina, Francis publicly questioned the nation's free-market policies and blamed them for increasing poverty.

More recently, during a 2007 address to Latin American bishops, Francis said their ministries were in "the most unequal part of the world, which has grown the most yet reduced misery the least. The unjust distribution of goods persists, creating a situation of social sin that cries out to Heaven and limits the possibilities of a fuller life for so many of our brothers."

"You can tell that this is man who is speaking from experience, not in a lecture. His sermons have talked about proximity to the poor. Benedict continued a strong line in Catholic social teaching in general, but I don't think he had that proximity. Francis does," said Michael Lee, an associate professor of Theology at Fordham University.

"He is fond of quoting from the Latin American bishops who as a group have been strong and vocal against structural poverty and the downsides of globalization in underdeveloped countries in Latin America and Africa."

Lee pointed out that while John Paul II and Benedict also frequently spoke and wrote about poverty, they made bigger headlines for their conservative stands on issues such as homosexuality, contraception and marriage -- issues on which Francis agrees.

He added that Catholic views on economic issues, such as the "preferential option for the poor," also were more commonly discussed recently outside Latin America. During discussions last year in the United States over the federal budget, U.S. bishops strongly spoke out against Republicans for proposed cuts to social services.

"When you look at the economy and Pope Francis, you won't be able to find somebody further from the Paul Ryan budget in the world," Lee said.

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Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Argentina's cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, elected Pope Francis I addresses the crowd on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica's after being elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican. Argentina's Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope Francis I on Wednesday, becoming the church's first Latin American pontiff after a conclave to elect a leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE

Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

People cheer in St. Peter's Square as they listen to newly elected pope, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, who will take the name Pope Francis, on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Newly elected Pope Francis I speaks to the waiting crowd from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Argentinian women scream in St. Peter's Square as they listen to the announcement that the newly elected Pope will be Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, who will take the name Pope Francis on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Argentina's Jorge Bergoglio, elected Pope Francis I (C) appears at the window of St Peter's Basilica's balcony after being elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO

People cheer in St. Peter's Square as white smoke billows out signifying that the Cardinals in the Conclave have come to a decision on a new Pope on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinals entered the conclave on March 12 to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI after he became the first pope in 600 years to resign from the role. The conclave inside the Sistine Chapel is attended by 115 cardinals as they voted to select the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

People cheer in St. Peter's Square as white smoke billows out of the chimney signifying that the Cardinals in the Conclave have come to a decision on a new Pope on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Argentina's Jorge Bergoglio, elected Pope Francis I appears at the window of St Peter's Basilica's balcony after being elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE

French proto-deacon cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran announces the name of the new Pope, Argentinian cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio on March 13, 2013 from the balcony of St Peter's basilica at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE

Nuns jubilate as white smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel meaning that cardinals elected34 a new pope in the second ballot of their secret conclave on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

A pilgrim kisses a cross after white smoke billowed from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope has been elected in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Swiss guards enter St Peter's Square after white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel announcing that Catholic Church cardinals had elected a new pope during a conclave on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE

People jubilate as white smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel indicating that the College of Cardinals have elected a new Pope on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI's successor, the 266th Pontiff, has been selected by the College of Cardinals in Conclave in the Sistine Chapel. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Faithfuls react in St Peter's Square after white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel announcing that Catholic Church cardinals had elected a new pope during a conclave on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE

People shelter from the rain in St. Peters Square as they await news of the newly elected Pope on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI's successor, the 266th Pontiff, has been selected by the College of Cardinals in Conclave in the Sistine Chapel. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Swiss guards parade after white smoke rose from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel meaning that cardinals elected a new pope on the second day of their secret conclave on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO

A general view shows the crowd on St Peter's square as white smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel meaning that cardinals elected a new pope during the conclave on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / TIZIANA FABI

Faithfuls wait under rain for the smoke announcing the result on the second day of the papal election conclave on March 13, 2013 at St Peter's square at the Vatican. In a rain-swept St Peter's Square, tens of thousands of people were hoping today to see the puff of smoke that would signal that cardinals meeting inside the chapel had reached a decision on who should be the next pope. Despite two puffs of black smoke in as many days, signalling that the 115 cardinals in the secret conclave had yet to choose a successor to Benedict XVI, many in the crowd were optimistic. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS

White smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel meaning that cardinals elected a new pope on the second day of their secret conclave on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO

Faithfuls wait under rain for the smoke announcing the result on the second day of the papal election conclave on March 13, 2013 at St Peter's square at the Vatican. In a rain-swept St Peter's Square, tens of thousands of people were hoping today to see the puff of smoke that would signal that cardinals meeting inside the chapel had reached a decision on who should be the next pope. Despite two puffs of black smoke in as many days, signalling that the 115 cardinals in the secret conclave had yet to choose a successor to Benedict XVI, many in the crowd were optimistic. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE

A faithful waves a French flag as the crowd waits for the smoke announcing the result on the second day of the papal election conclave on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican. Catholics gathered from the early morning in St Peter's Square on Wednesday for the first full day of a conclave to elect a new pope, saying they wanted a compassionate leader who would bring hope to the world. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO

White smoke emerges from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. The white smoke indicates that the new pope has been elected. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Faithfuls react in St Peter's Square after white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel announcing that Catholic Church cardinals had elected a new pope during a conclave on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE

White smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel meaning that cardinals elected a new pope on the second day of their secret conclave on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO

White smoke billows from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel indicating that the College of Cardinals have elected a new Pope on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI's successor - the 266th Pontiff - has been selected by the College of Cardinals in Conclave in the Sistine Chapel. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Crowds gather in St. Peter's Square to wait for the election of a new pope by the cardinals in conclave in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

White smoke billowed from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope has been elected in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

White smoke billows from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope has been elected in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Crowds cheer after white smoke billowed from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope has been elected in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

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