Beware 'social climbers' who exploit Church, Pope says
April 22, 2013
Pope Francis warned against people who use religion for their own personal gain, as he celebrated Mass on April 22 at the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
Commenting on the day's Gospel, in which Jesus cautioned against those who do not enter the sheepfold through the gate, the Holy Father said that caution refers to "someone who seeks to profit for himself, who only wants to climb the social ladder." These profiteers "steal Jesus' glory and seek their own," he said.
The Pope reminded the congregation-- which included staff members of Vatican Radio and the Vatican press office-- that "the only gate to the Kingdom of God, to the Church, is Jesus Himself."
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Further information:
- Pope: No room for ‘climbers’ or ‘commercial religion’ in Kingdom of God (Vatican Radio)
- Pope Recalls Sermon on Mount to Affirm that Jesus Is Door to Enter into Kingdom of God (VIS)
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