WORLD.- A crucifix in the shape of a communist symbol caused controversy this past Wednesday, given that this was gift which the President of Bolivia, Evo Morales gave Pope Francis during his visit to the South American country.

The image of the gift went viral, given that the founder of Christianity was carved on a sickle and hammer. According to popular opinion, the object portrayed an offense to religion.

Many of the critics as well as the Pope himself, weren't aware of the origin of this gift, given that the artistic piece was a reproduction of a carved crucifix by Jesuit priest. Luis Espinal, a man of faith who was murdered by Bolivian troops in 1980.

According to Univision, the Holy Pontiff, who is also Jesuit, visited the place where Luis Espinal's body was placed as way to pay a brief homage to his work as a defender of the poor.

Once the Pope heard the story of the gift, he assured that the crucifix was design as 'artistic protest' against the Bolivian dictatorship. He confirm that he didn't feel offended and assured that he would take the crucifix back with him to the Vatican.

"It's funny how I didn't knew about this, I also didn't know that Father Espinal was a sculptor and poet, I learnt that over the past few days. When I saw it, I was surprised" commented Pope Francis regarding the sickle with Christ on top.

"It can be classified under an artistic protest gender. For example, a few years back in Buenos Aires there was a great exhibit from a good and creative Argentinian sculptor, who is now dead. It was an artistic protest and I remember that there was a Crucified Christ over a bombing. This a was a critic to Christianity allied with bombing imperialism," he continued.

After a context analysis, the Pope concluded that the act shouldn't be considered offensive, however, he acknowledged that the art of protest may be considered as such. Nonetheless, he prefers to focus his attention on the things Father Luis Espinal did while he was alive.

"He was a special man, with so much human geniality, he had good faith. I understand the hermeneutics of the situation. I don't find it offensive, but I had to do this and tell you so there won't be any misinterpretations".

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