February 18, 2009 11:00 AM
Pope Benedict chides Pelosi - no photo op!
Breaking news from Associated Press:Pope to US Speaker Pelosi: Reject abortion support
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday told U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a Catholic who supports abortion rights, that Catholic politicians have a duty to protect life "at all stages of its development."
Pelosi is the first top Democrat to meet with Benedict since the election of Barack Obama, who won a majority of the American Catholic vote despite differences with the Vatican on abortion.
The Vatican released the pope's remarks to Pelosi, saying Benedict spoke of the church's teaching "on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death." That is an expression often used by the pope when expressing opposition to abortion.
Benedict said all Catholics -- especially legislators, jurists and political leaders -- should work to create "a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development."
In an e-mail issued by her office, Pelosi did not mention the allusion to abortion.
She said it was with "great joy" that she and her husband, Paul, met with Benedict.
"In our conversation, I had the opportunity to praise the Church's leadership in fighting poverty, hunger and global warming, as well as the Holy Father's dedication to religious freedom and his upcoming trip and message to Israel," she said.
The 15-minute meeting was closed to reporters and photographers. The two met in a small room off a Vatican auditorium after the pope's weekly public audience.
The Vatican said it was not issuing a photo of the meeting -- as it usually does when the pope meets world leaders -- saying the encounter was private. The statement said the pope "briefly greeted" Pelosi and did not mention any other subject they may have discussed.
Read entire article - including more meetings Pelosi felt entitled to have at taxpayer expense - here.
Ever since hearing of this scheduled meeting between power-mad, wayward-if-not-heretic Catholic Pelosi and Pope Benedict XVI, Catholics have been holding our collective breath, hoping that His Holiness would use this opportunity to correct this arrogant and stupid woman who has been guilty of spreading lies about the Catholic Church and the pro-life position from which we've never wavered.
Would she get the coveted photo op she wanted?
It is certainly telling that she didn't. All in all, I would say she was treated like someone undeserving of much attention or respect. I hope she will reflect on this, develop some humility and repent.
In the meantime I pray for bishops and priest to follow the Vatican directive to refuse Communion to "Catholic" senators, representatives, and a vice-president who in the name of their own political advancement have turned their back on their faith.
Posted in Catholicism, Pro-Life Issues | Permalink
Comments
You are so right Barbara, I have been waiting all day to hear about what the Pope had to say to Mrs. Pelosi. I guess I shouldn't be surpirsed that the story is very different depending on where the news comes from. I pray His Holiness was able to get through to her heart and change can be brought about as a result of the meeting. I reflect on St. Paul and his conversion story and I have hope that everything is possible with God. Thank you for keeping us informed.
Posted by: Danielle M | February 18, 2009 11:59 AM
At another website people wondered why Pelosi would even go over there to face the Pope. I suspect she did not count on the media release by the Vatican, and thought it would have been a picture and her released email only, to dazzle the Catholic democrats back home.
Looks like she didn't get what she wanted in Rome. I guess that comes with the feeling of entitlement she has developed for herself back home.
Posted by: Kelly | February 18, 2009 12:13 PM
My only question about this whole issue is this: Since when was the speaker of the house an international figure? Why is she encouraged to go on these meetings at all? We already have a secretary of state and president, not to mention "Catholic" vice president who would be more appropriate figures to represent America internationally.
Just my two cents...
Posted by: Sarah | February 18, 2009 1:22 PM
Well, it looks the Vatican press office is being more timely and proactive with high-visibility events. It did a great job of setting the tone of the meeting by not allowing photos and making a statement very quickly before Pelosi's team did any spinning. Maybe they are learning something from the SSPX media debacle.
Posted by: katerine | February 18, 2009 3:08 PM
Amen!
Posted by: Kathy | February 18, 2009 3:43 PM
Praise God! I was praying the Pope would address the issue of abortion with her.
Posted by: Becky Miller | February 19, 2009 9:50 AM
