The Catholic Church Pope, Francis has admitted his error speaking against the rich and the rights of the poor.

Pope Francis while speaking in-flight media conference en route from his visit to South America back to the Vatican, noted that they have become a genre in themselves.

He gave a vivid examle of the “New Evangelization,”, saying “Who am I to judge?” referring to gay priests, which he first uttered during one of these conversations.

But the pope’s recent admission of error was striking.

He had been asked by a reporter why he didn’t speak more frequently about the middle class (as opposed to his speaking frequently about the excesses of the rich and the rights of the poor.) 

His response was the opposite of what many expected from a public official, that is, defense, denial or backpedaling.

Instead, he said in the interview, “Thank you so much. It’s a good correction, thanks. You are right. It’s an error of mine not to think about this. I will make some comment but not to justify myself. You’re right. I have to think a bit.”

It’s refreshing to hear a public official admit that he or she was wrong.

And it’s not the first time a pope has done this, and certainly not the first time that Pope Francis has.

It would be recaled that in an interview with America magazine in 2013 shortly after his election, he ruefully recalled his time as Jesuit Provincial, or regional superior, of Argentina, and spoke of his errors at length.

“My style of government as a Jesuit at the beginning had many faults…. My authoritarian and quick manner of making decisions led me to have serious problems,” he said.

Moreover, it’s imperative for a Christian to admit that he or she is wrong. Why? For a number of reasons.

"First, we need to apologize for sinful behaviors, which are in one way of looking at the errors.

"Needless to say, we should distinguish between “wrong” and “sinful.” Pope Francis was not “sinning” by not peppering his speeches and homilies with references to the middle class. But in many cases an admission of wrongdoing is an admission of sin, and Catholic theology emphasizes the need to confess sins honestly, seek forgiveness and do penance.

"We need to admit wrongdoing on both an individual level and a corporate level. The latter was demonstrated in South America when the pope apologized for grave sins and crimes that the church committed against native peoples during the colonial period," he said.

Second, he added admitting mistakes was a salutary reminder that "we’re not perfect. Particularly for those in leadership roles, to whom others frequently defer, look for guidance.