Papa Benedetto & Obama

This is not going to be an in-depth look at the visit, the 2 links below will provide both the main-stream media as well as the Pro-life looks at it. I just want to comment on a few things.

I found it interesting that 1 of the gifts that Papa Benedetto gave Obama, a copy of Vatican bioethics document "Dignitatis Personae" as well as the expected copy of his new encyclical "Caritas in Veritate."

Msgr. Georg Ganswein, papal secretary, told journalists in the pool covering the visit why Obama was given the "Dignitatis Personae" to read. "This reading can help the president better understand the Church's position on these issues." (Life issues & other social issues)

"We know that this (abortion) is a crucial theme for the pope. There is no need to hide it. It (giving him the booklet) was an attempt to be clear, it was not polemical," Vatican Spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said.

OK, I am going to admit that this is my reading between the lines, but I see this as a subtle statement by the Pope. He is telling Obama that those Catholic In Name Only (CINO) members of his party & administration have misrepresented what the Church teaches on the life issues & other social issues. Here is what the Church really teaches. & by doing it this way, as Fr. Lombardi said, it was done not in a polemic way, but in a charitable fashion.

Another thing is Obama's comment to the Pope that was reported to the press. "Obama told the pope of his commitment to reduce the number of abortions and of his attention and respect for the positions of the Catholic Church," Vatican spokesman Father Lombardi told reporters after he was briefed by the pope.

I am not surprized that Obama said this, this is the claim he has been making since his campaign began, & that his CINO supporters have echoed. However, as has been pointed out again & again, his actions belie his words.

We can only hope & pray that Obama ment what he said & that it was not merely joking when he also told the Pope: "I'll have something to read on the plane." & we need to pray that the Holy Spirit will use those documents to convict Obama & lead him to a change of heart on the life issues.

1 last comment, I have to say that I was pleased to see that Michelle Obama, unlike in London, had the sense to dress properly. She wore a black dress & mantilla, the traditional dress that any female meeting the Pope in a private audience who is not the wife of a Catholic Ruler is supposed to wear.

Sources: Pope Benedict Spoke to Obama on Right to Life, Freedom of Conscience

Obama tells pope he wants to reduce abortions in U.S