While media have [1] questioned [2] Pope Francis’ political ideology, here’s one thing he won’t do: accept a communist crucifix.
Shortly after arriving in Bolivia, in the presidential palace, President Evo Morales handed Pope Francis a gift: a crucifix carved in the shape of a hammer and sickle.
Pope Francis responded, “That’s not right” or “no está bién” in Spanish [3].
“The Pope was not amused, and he let the president know about it,” Rome Reports [4] wrote [4].
According to the Wall Street Journal [5], President Morales also "draped a medallion over his neck that bore the hammer and sickle."
The crucifix resembled [6] the cross of Fr. Luis Espinal, a Spanish Jesuit who was tortured and killed by Bolivia's paramilitary squads in 1980. During his time in Bolivia, Pope Francis blessed a memorial [7] for the priest.
When President Morales took office in 2006, he removed both the Bible and cross from the presidential palace, according to International Business Times [6].
While news media including the Wall Street Journal [5] and AP [8] acknowledged the gift, they have not noted Pope Francis’ reaction.
— Katie Yoder is Staff Writer, Joe and Betty Anderlik Fellow in Culture and Media at the Media Research Center. Follow Katie Yoder on Twitter. [9]