In an interview to Il Messaggero, the Pope was asked about a blog post in the Economist magazine, which described him as a "Leninist" for his criticism on capitalism, calling for radical economic reform.

"I can only say that the communists have stolen our flag. The flag of the poor is Christian. Poverty is at the center of the Gospel," he said.

The Pope then cited Biblical passages about the need to help the poor, the sick and the needy. "Communists say that all this is communism. Sure, twenty centuries later. So when they speak, one can say to them: 'but then you are Christian,'" he said, laughing.

Since his appointment in March of last year, Pope Francis has often attacked the global economic system as turning away from the poor and not doing enough to share wealth with those who need it most.

Pope Francis has criticized the wealth made from financial speculation as intolerable. He also said speculation on commodities was a scandal that compromised the poor's access to food.