Being rich is no sin, but wealth must be shared - Pope

Vatican City - Being rich is not a sin, but Christians must share their wealth with others, Pope Francis, said on Wednesday, renewing the Catholic Church's criticism of greed.

'Money is by itself a good instrument, like almost all things at human disposal: it is a tool that broadens our capacities,'' the pontiff wrote in a short essay published by Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper.

However, 'when economic power is a tool that produces fortunes that people keep to themselves, hiding them from others, it leads to injustice, it loses its original positive value,'' Francis wrote.

His remarks were written as an introduction to 'Poor for the Poor. The Mission of the Church,'' a new book by German Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Mueller, who heads the Congregation for the Doctrine of the

Faith, the Vatican office which enforces Catholic teachings.

Mueller is one of 19 cardinal-elects that the pope is due to elevate on Saturday.

The title of his book echoes Francis' famous words days after his election in March.

He said he wanted 'a poor Church, for the poor.''
The Argentine-born pontiff has strong views on social justice, which have riled some ultra-conservatives.

In November, a papal document that criticised unregulated free-market policies was dismissed as 'pure Marxism'' by U.S. radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. (dpa/NAN)