Lutheran Ping!
Be rooted in Christ!
Your reply is not exactly on point, since the Lutheran woman involved confesses belief that the body and blood of the Lord are present in the elements after consecration.
A lot of protestants, perhaps as much as 30%, believe this to be true of the Catholic Eucharist.
So, whatever “Lutherans believe”, this particular woman believes to a reasonable approximation what Catholics are supposed to believe (many Catholics, as you know, don’t believe it).
The pope’s answer makes some sense in that context.
Lutherans:
More catholic than Catholics!
Why are you getting all worked up over this? Pope JP II did this about 15 years ago. He opened Communion on special occasions to Lutherans — I forget which Synod. It was NOT Missouri or Wisconsin Synod because they did not accept the invitation.
They signed documents (in Switzerland, I think) and we had a joint service and concelebration at our (Catholic) Church with many families having their Lutheran spouses at our service for the first time. There were also services in Milwaukee. We had all of the priests in our County and all of the Lutheran ministers engaged in this prayer and communion service. And choirs representing all of the churches involved.
I’ve never heard another peep about it.
1401 When, in the Ordinary's judgment, a grave necessity arises, Catholic ministers may give the sacraments of Eucharist, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick to other Christians not in full communion with the Catholic Church, who ask for them of their own will, provided they give evidence of holding the Catholic faith regarding these sacraments and possess the required dispositions.
Since Vatican II, non-Catholics already receive communion without conversion....something previously condemned by the Catholic Church.
Be rooted in Christ!
As a Lutheran, not so sure I’d want to take Communion with a church that still considers Luther a heretic.