- Pope Francis told winemakers that wine is a “gift from God.”
- He quickly said to enjoy it in moderation
- Last week he said that sexual pleasure is something to be cherished
Pope Francis has proclaimed wine to be “a gift from God” and a “true source of joy” for drinkers, as he joked about the appearance of drunkards.
During a private audience with Italian winemakers at the Vatican, he joked: “This looks like a drunk pope.”
He told the gathered group: “Wine, land, agricultural skills and entrepreneurship are gifts from God – the creator entrusted them to us because, with our sensitivity and honesty, we make them a true source of joy.”
But he soon told winemakers to consider the “moral and ethical responsibilities” that flow from their work.
He told them to treat their employees fairly, provide a clean environment and encourage healthy drinking habits.
Pope Francis (pictured) told winemakers to consider the ‘moral and ethical responsibilities’ that flow from their work
He told the gathered group: “Wine, land, agricultural skills and entrepreneurship are gifts from God – the creator entrusted them to us because, with our sensitivity and honesty, we make them a true source of joy.”
The event was organized by the Bishop of Verona, Domenico Pompili, ahead of a major wine trade fair that takes place every year in northern Italy.
The bishop said: ‘Saint Paul said it: a glass is good to cheer up, but in moderation.’
The Pope is considered one of the most progressive leaders of the Catholic Church in recent centuries, and has made several proclamations that have raised eyebrows among more conservative members of the faith.
Last week he told attendees of his general audience at the Vatican that sexual pleasure is a gift from God that should be cherished.
He quickly said that this gift was “undermined by pornography,” telling the audience, “Satisfaction without a relationship can create forms of addiction. We must defend love. Winning in the battle of lust can be a lifelong endeavor.”
The Pope was previously in hot water after his official Instagram account left a like on a racy photo of a model wearing little more than stockings and suspenders.
A screenshot taken by an eagle-eyed social media user shows the @francisus account liking a photo of Natalia Garibotto dressed in a revealing schoolgirl outfit.
The image shows Miss Garibotto dressed in a short tartan skirt as she packs books into a locker.
And it appears the Pope’s official account was one of more than 133,000 people who liked the photo of the then 27-year-old Brazilian model.
Ms. Garibotto took comments like this in good humor, joking that she was “on her way to the Vatican” with her Twitter followers.
She told Barstool Sports: “My mom may hate my butt pictures, but the Pope double taps.”
Afterwards she wrote on Twitter: ‘Brb on the way to the Vatican. At least I’m going to heaven.
“If Pope Francis wanted the place, you should too.”