Obama Is Fan Of Pope Francis: 'Hugely Impressed'

Obama 'Hugely Impressed' With Pope Francis

Pope Francis has a new fan.

In an interview with CNBC, President Obama was asked about the Pope, and specifically about his recent comments that the church had become too obsessed with gay rights and abortion.

Although the president and the American Catholic bishops have had serious disagreements, most notably on the contraception mandate, the President didn't comment on the specific issues saying: "I been hugely impressed with the Pope's pronouncements. He seems like somebody who lives out the teachings of Christ, incredible humility, an incredible sense of empathy to the least of these, the poor."

The President went on to comment on his style of leadership, "He (Pope Francis) is also someone who is first and foremost thinking how to embrace people instead of pushing them away; how to find what's good in them, as opposed to condemn them. That spirit, sense of love and unity, seems to manifest itself in not just in what he says, but also what he does."

The Pope seems to have a lot of fans these days. Yesterday on HuffPost Live, mega-pastor Joel Osteen said: "I think the Pope is fantastic." When asked if God accepts homosexuals the famous televangelist even echoed some of Pope Francis' statements replying: "Absolutely... Every person is made in the image of God and you have accept them as they are, on their journey. I'm not here to preach hate or push people down."

Before You Go

"Who Am I To Judge?"

Pope Francis's Most Prophetic Statements

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