Earlier this week we were both dismayed and unsurprised to read that the Vatican had confirmed Pope Francis’ meeting with marriage equality opponent Kim Davis. Now, the Vatican is providing context and some clarification on how the meeting transpired.
Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said in a statement released this morning that “The pope did not enter into the details of the situation of Mrs. Davis, and his meeting with her should not be considered a form of support of her position in all of its particular and complex aspects.”
Rev. Lombardi went on to explain,
Pope Francis met with several dozen persons who had been invited by the Nunciature to greet him as he prepared to leave Washington for New York City.
Such brief greetings occur on all papal visits and are due to the pope’s characteristic kindness and availability. The only real audience granted by the pope at the Nunciature was with one of his former students and his family.
Spokesman Rev. Thomas Rosica also clarified earlier today that the meeting was called by the office of Washington envoy Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò.
Father Rosica went on to caution,
I would simply say: Her case is a very complex case. It’s got all kinds of intricacies. Was there an opportunity to brief the pope on this beforehand? I don’t think so. A list is given — these are the people you are going to meet.
(via The New York Times)
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