2:45 p.m.

The Vatican is seeking to explain the “Communist crucifix” given to Pope Francis by Bolivian President Evo Morale, saying it’s a symbol of dialogue and not an offensive melding of faith and ideology.

Morales gave the crucifix carved into a hammer and sickle to Francis when they met Wednesday upon Francis’ arrival in Bolivia.

The Vatican wasn’t expecting the unusual gift and it immediately raised eyebrows.

It turns out, the crucifix was originally designed by Jesuit activist Luis Espinal, who was assassinated in 1980 by suspected paramilitaries during the months that preceded a military coup. Francis is a fellow Jesuit and he stopped to pray at the site where Espinal’s body was dumped.

The Vatican spokesman is the Rev. Federico Lombardi, and he said Thursday the pope had no idea that Espinal had designed such a crucifix.

Lombardi said Espinal’s fellow priests said he had designed the crucifix as a symbol of dialogue and commitment to freedom for Bolivia during a turbulent time.

Many church theologians have bitterly denounced the Marxist influences on Liberation Theology, but Francis has tried to rehabilitate the movement – without the Marxism. MORE