The Talking Points: "Freedom, Life, Conscience"...And A Promise Kept [Obama and Pope Francis]

Whispers in the Loggia ^ | 03/27/2014 | Rocco Palmo

[Pyro7480]

Three and a half hours after the Pope and President wrapped up their 52-minute talks, the Holy See has just released the following readout....

This morning, 27 March 2014, the Hon. Barack H. Obama, President of the United States of America, was received in audience by His Holiness Pope Francis, after which he met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial meetings, views were exchanged on some current international themes and it was hoped that, in areas of conflict, there would be respect for humanitarian and international law and a negotiated solution between the parties involved.>

In the context of bilateral relations and cooperation between Church and State, there was a discussion on questions of particular relevance for the Church in that country, such as the exercise of the rights to religious freedom, life and conscientious objection, as well as the issue of immigration reform. Finally, the common commitment to the eradication of trafficking of human persons in the world was stated.

Of course, the key reference to "religious freedom, life and conscientious objection" refers above all to the US church's stringent opposition to the Obama administration's mandate for contraceptive coverage in benefit plans, which has seen nearly 100 church entities sue the Federal government to block the policy on religious liberty grounds.

The discussion on immigration reform, meanwhile, fulfills a promise Francis made yesterday to a 10 year-old girl, Jersey Vargas, who asked the Pope after the General Audience to raise the issue of the rising number of deportations of undocumented immigrants with the president. Her father soon to be deported, Jersey was part of a group of immigrant advocates from Southern California who reportedly landed a prime spot at the Wednesday gathering thanks to an endorsement from the head of the nation's largest diocese, Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles.

The White House statement still to emerge, it'll be run here as soon as it arrives.

[Pyro7480]

[Pyro7480]

Catholic ping!

[Salvation]

Only a photo op for Obama.

[ecomcon]

I wonder if the Pope told him he was in grave sin, or they just chatted about leftist economic theories and the need to broaden the tent?

[Rashputin]

Wow, Pope Francis looks overjoyed. /sarc

Does someone have pliers on the Pope's toe to get him to pose for this picture?

[Bigg Red]

Her father soon to be deported, Jersey was part of a group of immigrant advocates from Southern California....

***
Correction: Her father soon to be deported, Jersey was part of a group of ILLEGAL immigrant advocates from Southern California....

[Bigg Red]

Only a photo op for Obama.

***
I am disappointed that the Holy Father allowed that.

[GreyFriar]

Rush Limbaugh just asked this question: We are suppose to expect that the Pope will have any influence on Obama, when we are expected to believe that 20 years of being a member of Rev Wright’s church and hearing his preaching had NO affect?

Good question. How will bh0’s leftist/secular humanaist supporters answer it?

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

If I were in the presence of Evil, the photo would look like this.