Pope Francis a leftist? That’s crazy talk.

Via Reuters:

Pope Francis launched his first visit to the United States with a characteristic gesture of humility on Tuesday, and sent a conciliatory message to the world’s wealthiest nation about his frequent criticism of capitalism.

After a red carpet welcome by President Barack Obama at an air base near the capital, the 78-year-old Argentine headed off to Washington not in a limousine as is customary but in a modest Fiat.

School children cheered the pontiff as his Alitalia plane landed, chanting “We love Francis, yes we do. We love Francis, how about you?”

The pontiff has often taken aim at capitalism, but on the plane bringing him from Cuba he said it would be wrong to presume that his concerns about economic injustice make him a leftist.

“Maybe an explanation was given that led to the impression that I am a bit to the left but it would be an error of explanation,” Francis told reporters.

Why would anyone think he skews to the left?