Pope tweets blunt message on unemployment

VATICAN CITY, May 3 (UPI) -- Pope Francis took a shot at corporations, sending a tweet blaming them for rampant unemployment rates throughout the world.

The tweet was sent out Thursday morning and reads: "My thoughts turn to all who are unemployed, often as a result of a self-centered mindset bent on profit at any cost."

Francis is known for his humble lifestyle, but both the bluntness of his message and his use of social media gained plenty of attention, NBC News reported.

The tweet was only his 30th since he became pope in March, and the first time he delivered a sharp, critical message, NBC News said.

Although religious academics said the message was consistent with the Catholic Church's teachings, the pontiff's tweet did receive some criticism.

NBC News said responses included: "And what was the revenue generated by the Vatican last year?"

Francis' tweet came a day after he criticized the labor conditions at the Bangladesh factory building that collapsed last week and killed hundreds of people.