Clear As Mud: Francis on World Problems

By now it should be apparent that Pp. Francis doesn't like clarity in his pronouncements.  Whether that's what he intends or whether it's because he cannot think clearly is irrelevant; Catholics simply have to scratch their heads and proceed according to their best lights, found in centuries of consistent Catholic teachings.

In other words, ignore the guy.  Eventually, he'll go away.

Recently, he managed to go back-and-forth on the matter of 'nationalism.'

...I [Francis] consider it important that “even in the present time the will of a peaceful and constructive confrontation between the States does not fail,” he said, “even though it is evident that relations within the international community, and the multilateral system as a whole, are going through difficult times, with the re-emergence of nationalistic tendencies.”

These tendencies “undermine the vocation of international organizations to be a space for dialogue and meeting for all countries,” he said.

The rise of populism, the pope suggested, is partly due to the inability of the multilateral system to offer effective solutions to unresolved situations, and in part it “is the result of the evolution of national policies, more and more frequently determined by the search for an immediate and sectarian consensus, rather than by the patient pursuit of the common good.”...

Well, now.  Francis sets up a dichotomy between 'the common good' and 'immediate and sectarian consensus' (which is implemented by various national governments.)  The obvious implication is that an 'immediate and sectarian consensus' is .........not good.  Don't ask me why.

As the link's author indicates, the Principle of Subsidiarity doesn't seem to come into play in the above quote.

But wait!!  There's more!!

..."It is also partly due to an attempt on the part of multinational organizations to “impose their visions and ideas, triggering new forms of ideological colonization, not infrequently disrespectful of the identity, dignity, and sensitivity of peoples,” he said....

So we're back to the concept of "subsidiarity" again, eh?

Like I said:  clear as mud.