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This was the era of "liberation theology", which came out of Latin America and argued that it was the duty of the clergy to fight against the pervasive poverty and injustice all around them.

His position has led some observers to suggest that Francis was sympathetic towards Catholic liberation theology, which emerged in Latin America and calls for liberating the poor from political and economic oppression.

He also had differences with fellow Jesuits who believed Bergoglio lacked interest in liberation theology - that synthesis of Christian thought and Marxist sociology which sought to overthrow injustice.

Conservative Catholics — many of them in the U.S. — have long accused their leader of liberation theology, if not downright heresy, for his work.

He was galvanized early in life by liberation theology, a logical philosophy for someone who recognizes Jesus as the altruistic, peace-loving hippie he is depicted as in the New Testament.