Was there somethin’ goin’ on?
I appreciate Catholic Church for acknowledging the Biblical space for lifelong celibacy as embodied by Jesus, Paul, etc…or St. Augustine upon conversion etc….plus the genuine, spirit-bonds between male and female celebrated in the Bible. Nowadays people are can’t fathom that Jesus didn’t have an affair with Mary Magdalene 🙄.
I doubt it. Four decades? If there were, in that much time it would have become an open secret and for that reason she would NOT be permitted. As it was, I don't have a problem with this "breach of protocol", it's not like she was trying to become a priest or cardinal, she just stood in a VIP space, as it were.
Friends can be just friends. It happens.
Like the old joke about the elderly priest asked how he has managed being alone all those years. And he answers if it wasn’t for his Rosary and some Irish whiskey every evening, he couldn’t have done it.
Then he leans over and calls into the kitchen and says, “Hey Rosary, I’m about ready for that whiskey now, bring one for my guest also!”