Home Depot founder: Pope Francis ruffling rich donors

The social gospel preachings of Pope Francis are starting to ruffle rich American Catholics, according to Home Depot founder Ken Langone, who is leading an effort to raise $180 million to restore St. Patricks Cathedral in New York.

The first Jesuit pope has taken aim at trickle-down economics and warned about creation of a culture of prosperity that is incapable of feeling compassion for the poor. Francis issued a November exhortation on the world economy, which said in part:

Pope Francis: He has warned of unfettered capitalism which tends to devour everything which stands in the way of increased profits, whatever is fragile.

In this system, which tends to devour everything which stands in the way of increased profits, whatever is fragile, like the environment, is defenseless before the interests of a deified market, which becomes the only rule.

Langone told CNBC that one potential seven-figure donor to the St. Patricks restoration has become upset at the popes words. Langone took his concerns to Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York.

Ive told the cardinal, Your eminence, this is one more hurdle I hope we dont have to deal with. You want to be very careful about generalities. Rich people in one country dont act the same as rich people in another country.

CNBC talked to Cardinal Dolan, whose soothing sound bites have become ubiquitous on network TV programs from 60 Minutes to the Today Show.

The pope loves poor people; he also loves rich people, said Dolan. So I said, Ken, thanks for bringing it to my attention. We gotta make sure this gentleman understands the Holy Fathers message properly. And then I think hes gonna say, Oh, OK, if thats the case, count me in for St. Patricks Cathedral.

Dolan is frequently pictured by The New York Times Sunday Style section at gala Manhattan fundraisers in the company of the rich and famous.

Langone also reported telling Dolan, You get more with honey than with vinegar, and pointed out, There is no nation on Earth so forthcoming, so giving as the United States.

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Home Depot founder: Pope Francis ruffling rich donors