Francisco and the speck in the eye of politicians

On the streets of Brazil, young people, outspoken and with their placards, are questioning the government and its scandalous circumstances.

On the streets of Rio, Pope Francis, stripped down, reduced the age-old pomp of the ecclesiastical institution with its monarchical tradition. He instructed his own clergy to abandon "princely" behavior and "attachment to riches."

Arrogant rulers, intoxicated by privileges, claim to be "touched" by the Pope and the protests, promising humility.

Political dynamics don't allow for miracles, but they do show shifts in attitude, at least out of a spirit of survival. Brazilian leaders are undergoing an intensive course in "listening skills."

Political parties and politicians, in the purgatory of discredit, are called to profound metanoia. To that end, Francis, more as an ecumenical religious leader than as the head of a state that Christ never considered founding, offered an intriguing roadmap.

To those who degrade our political activity with their vote-buying machines, the Pope offered "the task of rehabilitating politics, which is one of the highest forms of charity," recalling that "young people have a special sensitivity to injustice, but are often disillusioned by news of corruption."

To those who subordinate public office to the brutal game of economic interests, starting with elections, the Pope countered with "a humanist vision of the economy and politics, which increasingly achieves the participation of people, avoiding elitism and eradicating poverty, ensuring dignity, fraternity and solidarity for all."

To those who establish religious blocs and exploit the faith of the people, the Pope reminded them that "the secular nature of the State, without adopting any confessional position as its own, fosters peaceful coexistence among diverse religions."

For him, "religion has a heritage and puts it at the service of the people, but if it starts to mix with politics and impose things behind the scenes, it becomes a bad agent of power."

To those with a sick mentality who, in opposition to the teachings of Jesus, discriminate against and want to "cure" those who, in a healthy state, experience their homosexuality, the Pope offered a provocation, disregarding sexual orientation as an element of identification: "Gays should not be discriminated against, but rather integrated. Who am I to judge them?"

To the sycophants who make a living by flattering and lobbying, both in the Vatican and here, the Pope warned: "I like it when someone tells me I disagree." That's a true collaborator. The worst problem is lobbying, the kind done by the greedy, the politicians, the Freemasons..."

To those who use and abuse benefits, exercising power not to serve but to serve themselves, the Pope warned against the "fierce idolatry of money" and reminded them that "austerity and simplicity are necessary for everyone."

To those who believe they have a monopoly on representation and only leave their offices to reproduce it with misleading propaganda from time to time, Francis's message to the church is fitting: "Go out into the streets and cause a commotion. Abandon worldliness, comfort, and clericalism. Let us stop being closed in on ourselves!"

So be it.