Shepard Smith Rips Into Critics Who Claim Pope Francis Is 'Political'

Fox News anchor Shepard Smith has three words for those who complain that Pope Francis' stance on issues such as immigration and climate change is getting political: "Consult a mirror." 

During the network's coverage of the pope's arrival in Washington on Wednesday, Smith tore into the pontiff's critics, saying "we are in a weird place in the world" when these issues are considered political.

In a clip posted online by Media Matters, Smith seemed baffled by the complaints: 

“These are the five things that were on his and our president’s agenda: Caring for the marginalized and the poor -- that’s now political. Advancing economic opportunity for all. Political? Serving as good stewards of the environment. Protecting religious minorities and promoting religious freedom globally. Welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees globally. And that’s political?” 

Smith said the leader of the Catholic Church is expected to speak on behalf of those who need help, especially refugees.  

"These seem like universal truths that we should be good to others who have less than we do, that we should give shelter to those who don't have it. I think these were the teachings in the Bible of Jesus. They're the words of the pope, they're the feelings of the president," Smith said. "And people who find themselves on the other side of that message should consult a mirror." 

Check it out in the clip above.

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