Cardinal Maradiaga: on Pope’s desire for poor Church
(Vatican Radio) As Pope Francis marks the second anniversary of his election, Cardinal Rodriquez Maradiaga, President of Caritas Internationalis, looks at one of the main hallmarks of his papacy, his desire “for a poor Church, for the poor.” It was only 3 days after his election on March 13th 2013 that Pope Francis spoke that much-quoted phrase during an audience with journalists and since then the Pope’s words and deeds have helped to reinforce that message in many different ways. Cardinal Mariadiaga, who’s a member of the C-9 group of cardinals tasked with helping the Pope to reform the Roman Curia, spoke to Susy Hodges.
Listen to the full interview with Cardinal Maradiaga, President of Caritas Internationalis:
Cardinal Maradiaga it was obvious “right from the very beginning” when the newly-elected Pope chose the name of Francis after the great Italian saint from Assisi who renounced his wealth and devoted his life to the poor that reaching out to the poor and marginalized would be a key hallmark of his papacy. Calling it a “great message”, the Honduran Cardinal said Pope Francis is trying “to change attitudes” and fight “the indifference” of so many in today’s society to this moral imperative to help the poor and marginalised.