"That's Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad, and don't let me catch you guys in America!"
Posted on 06/26/2007 5:19:06 AM PDT by mware
Pope Has "Frank" Conversation with Tony Blair
Vatican, Jun. 25, 2007 (CWNews.com) - During a June 23 audience with outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Pope Benedict XVI some candid criticism of the British leader's term in office.
After the Pope's meeting with Blair-- who was accompanied to the Vatican by his wife Cherie and by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster-- the Vatican press office indicated that the conversation had included a "frank discussion of the international situation, including certain particularly delicate questions such as the conflict in the Middle East and the future of the European Union in the wake of the Brussels summit." London media reports indicated that the Pope had been critical of the British leader's stands on the war in Iraq, stem-cell research, and legal recognition of same-sex unions.
The indications of an unusually blunt conversation between the Pope and the Prime Minister took on special interest in light of the persistent speculation that Blair plans to enter the Catholic Church after resigning his government leadership post. However there was no public indication that the topic of Blair's possible conversion was raised directly during the June 23 audience.
Pope Benedict offered his best wishes to the outgoing leader, the Vatican said, noting with satisfaction that Blair has shown an interest in continuing to work as in the international arena. The Vatican statement noted that Blair has shown a special interest in working for peace in the Middle East and in promoting inter-religious dialogue. US President George W. Bush is reportedly pushing for the appointment of Blair as a special international envoy to the Middle East.
After his meeting with the Holy Father, Prime Minister Blair-- as is customary for a government leader-- met separately with the Cardinal Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
Tony Blair will officially resign as prime minister on June 27, leaving the government leadership in the hands of his current labor minister, Gordon Brown.
Ted Kennedy’s head would be spinning like a top the moment he walked into a room with the Pope.
Seem Tony wanted to jump right in and become a deacon. I’m glad B-16 set him straight, wish he would do the same to some of our politicians.
I am going to have to check out the UK papers and see how they are spinning this story.
Can you image haveing a FRank conservation with B16? Makes me tremble to even think about it.
BLAIR GETS A TICKING OFF FROM POPE
Have your say: Top Stories forum THE Pope gave Tony Blair a blunt ticking off when the two met at the Vatican on Saturday.
The PM dropped a strong hint he wishes to become a Catholic.
But in a put-down Pope Benedict replied: "Miracles are hard to come by in Britain."
The two clashed repeatedly, particularly over the Middle East and the Iraq invasion. Labour policies including stemcell research, abortion, same-sex marriages and gay adoption were raised.
In a statement later the Vatican talked of a "frank confrontation".
Mr Blair gave the Pope framed portraits of Cardinal Henry Newman, who left the Church of England to become a Catholic in 1845 - a clear hint of his desire to do the same.
Making the gift he said: "He is on the journey to sainthood."
Benedict replied: "Yes, although it is taking some time. Miracles are hard to come by in Britain". It was a reference to the fact would-be saints must be credited with miracles.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/the_blair_years/article1979342.ece
Tony Blair received a tough dressing down from Pope Benedict XVI during his audience with the pontiff yesterday, not only over the war in Iraq but also over legislation passed during Mr Blair's ten years in power on abortion, gay adoption and stem cell research
If only our Bishops would take a lesson from B16.
"That's Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad, and don't let me catch you guys in America!"
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