Pope Francis Draws From Christian Tradition in New Encyclical

A few days ago, a popular conservative radio host referred to the Pope's new encyclical as "a Marxist rant." 

 However, in his encyclical, Laudato Si', Pope Francis repeatedly refers to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He also quotes from all four Gospels, as well as the books of Genesis, Exodus, Wisdom, and 1 Corinthians.

 The Pope quotes various regional Bishops conferences including, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the 5th General Conference of Latin American and Caribbean Bishops, the Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, the Bolivian Bishops' Conference, the German Bishops' Conference, and the Bishops of the Patagonia-Comahue Region of Argentina.

 Pope Francis cites the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the writings of Pope Benedict.

 He refers to Mary, the Woman, “clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Rev 12:1) who was "carried up into heaven" and is "the Mother and Queen of all creation."  And the Pope also invokes Saint Joseph, the one who "cared for and defended Mary and Jesus."

Furthermore, again and again Pope Francis quotes or paraphrases great saints such as Francis of Assisi, Therese of Lisieux, Pope John XXIII, Pope John Paul II, Basil the Great, Thomas Aquinas, Benedict, Bonaventure, and John of the Cross.

 Marxist rant? Really?

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