Posted on 03/03/2016 2:15:38 PM PST by ebb tide
There is intense anticipation in the Catholic Church -- and no small amount of anxiety for traditionalists -- over what Pope Francis will say about Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics in a key document expected in the coming weeks.
But Francis has already made an intriguing change in this area, albeit one that only concerns the Vatican's arcane diplomatic protocol and a very, very select group: Catholic heads of state.
As longtime Vatican-watcher Andrea Tornielli reports, the pontiff has altered the long-standing Vatican custom that if a Catholic president or prime minister (or dictator) who is divorced and remarried without an annulment visits the pope with his or her spouse, the pope will meet with the head of state first and then later greet the spouse -- who is usually waiting ensconced in an anteroom.
"From now on," Tornielli writes, "Catholic heads of state in irregular marital unions will be able to meet the pope along with their spouse and the latter will also be able to appear in official group photos when gifts are exchanged."
Tornielli said Francis asked for the change -- first reported by Argentine journalist Elisabetta Pique -- two years ago when an unnamed Latin American head of state who had married his wife in a civil ceremony met the pope, who then greeted the wife in a separate location.
The new protocol was used for the first time last Saturday (Feb. 27) for another Latin American head of state, the new president of Francis' native Argentina, Mauricio Macri, and his third wife, Juliana Awada.
But do we have any any photos of him meeting with Kim Davis, who refused to issue marriage licenses for homos?
Too...”insensitive”...
Well he’s just making himself at home all over the place.
If Frankie had been around in the 1500’s England might still be Catholic.
Obligatory “Henry The VIII” reference
Quote of the Day.
He has a pen and a phone.
Meetings, presents and photo ops. Cool! The Bible is fluid these days. Malachi was right about Benedict being the last because Francis isn’t very Pope-like.
Just like in the middle ages, the elite can purchase ‘indulgences’ from the church, allowing these wealthy citizens a certain amount of sin forgiveness, not available to the common man. Next thing you know, the Vatican will be promoting Carbon Credits like Al Gore.
So, why should the pope be?
No one can purchase an Indulgence.
Bad move, not to mention undignified. As we have come to expect, sadly.
He didn’t say Benedict, The Glory of the Olive, was last, he said Peter the Roman is last.
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