He has also renounced the bulletproof Popemobile. Might not be the best time to do that. 
The Church and the world need him.
“Mama, I have some good news and some bad news…”
“What’s the good news?”
“I got to meet the Pope!”
["Vatican spokesman Father Ciro Benedettini said the pope’s stern words did not constitute a formal over-arching decree of canon (Church) law, regarding excommunication, which is a formal legal process.
Rather, he said it was more of a direct message to members of organised crime that they had effectively excommunicated themselves, reminding them that they could not participate in Church sacraments or other activities because they had distanced themselves from God through their criminal actions."](Pope Francis: Mafiosi are excommunicated from the church' | Independent.ie)
Which is not to diminish what he said, mind you. John Paul II said much the same thing in 1993 and got bombed at for his troubles.
Still pretty strong stuff. He said that people who are involved in organized crime are not in communion with God. That means they’re going to Hell, unless they repent.
You’ve gotta admire the guy’s balls. He went to the heard of organized crime country, specifically to call them out.
They don’t call him the heir of Peter for nothing.
I dunno, if my nickname was “Knuckles the Enforcer”, I’d pretty much understand I’m breaking some of the 10 commandments & probably not the best, most pious Catholic.
If my choice were give up my (probably lucrative) line of work or give up religion, I think it would be an easy choice. Most of these guys don’t list their occupation as Mobster; they have fronts to hide their illegal activity, I would think that includes going to church is part of the cover to make it appear that you’re a good, upstanding member of the community.
That was my thought as well. I doubt the Mob is going to be particularly surprised that the Pope doesn’t think they’re right with Jesus. Especially given the circumstances (the Pope was visiting a family whose young child had been killed by Mob violence.)
Some Mafia ceremonies include burning a religious icon (usually a picture of a saint). This symbolizes that the initiate is renouncing the Church’s authority over his life and accepting the authority of the Mafia in its place.
It doesn’t matter whether the Mafia knuckles under or not (and of course they won’t). The point is that the Pope spoke up about it. He can’t control what they do, and he knows that. But he can control the public stand that he takes. That’s all anyone can do.
I guess it’s safe to say ol’ Franky boy’s given up on being the first hitpope.