Nice business you got there, pope

We wouldn't want anything to happen to it, would we?

The old Fair 'n' Balanced undergarments are in a proper twist today. Let's let John Moody, executive vice president and executive editor, explain why:

On Friday... Francis chose a meeting with – of all people -- officials of the United Nations to endorse what he called “the legitimate redistribution of economic benefits by the state, as well as indispensable cooperation between the private sector and civil society.”

By appearing to sanction what amounts to forced redistribution, Francis grievously exceeded his authority and became what amounts to a robe-wearing politician.

Good thing there's a former Vatican correspondent* to put him in his place, huh?

... The pope is the head of the Church. He is the Vicar of Christ and is infallible on matters of doctrine.

When it comes to economics, however, Francis should stick to making suggestions for how to voluntarily reduce economic inequality and leave tax policy to the politicians.

I'm reminded of my all-time favorite argument against allowing the term "miracle" in your news pages, paraphrased here from the Montreal Gazette stylebook: Don't try to muscle in on the pope's territory. He might retaliate by editing copy.

* And enough of a race-baiting loony to fit right in at Fox: "The Pietá, for instance, should fetch a pretty penny, especially if the buyer is, say, a backer of Al Qaeda who can afford to smash it to pieces as soon as it is acquired."

Now it can be told

Hurry, hurry, hurry! Step right up, come one, come all! Be the first to see the wonder of our age, the glory of our time, the first-ever miracle ACTUALLY CAPTURED on X-RAY FILLUM before your VERY EYES!*

Do you think that might have given just a moment's pause to the eager hed writer (or centerpiece designer)? That, since we're presenting the visual evidence on the same page as this:

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