Posted on 07/05/2009 12:30:31 PM PDT by presidio9
When Pope Benedict XVI greets U.S. President Barack Obama at the Vatican on July 10, the symbolism and sheer star power of the encounter will keep the pundits chattering away. The photo op alone is worth a thousand words: The 82-year-old man in white, the world's most recognizable religious leader and head of its largest single denomination comes face-to-face with the charismatic first black President of the world's last superpower. And the scheduling efforts of both the Vatican and the White House suggest a shared appreciation of the symbolic weight the first encounter between Obama and Benedict could carry.
It was confirmed last week that the two would meet during a highly unusual Friday, 4 p.m. slot immediately after Obama finishes the G8 summit in Rome and prepares to depart for Ghana. Pontiffs almost always meet with visiting dignitaries before lunch, but that's not an option for Obama. And the fact that Benedict leaves Rome two days later for his summer holiday in the Italian Alps has some speculating that the pontiff had delayed his departure in order to be there when the new U.S. President comes to town.
Once they've allowed the photographers their opportunity, Benedict and Obama will speak alone and in private for what will likely be less than one hour. To paint the Obama-meets-Benedict dossier in broad strokes, says one senior Vatican diplomat, "It's basically the reverse of Bush." In other words, the Pope tends to appreciate the new President's less aggressive approach to foreign affairs, while clashing on ethical matters such as abortion rights and stem cell research — where President George W. Bush was seen by the Vatican as one of the few like-minded Western leaders on social issues,
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
I’ve heard the Pontiff has been eagerly trying to get a slot in Obama’s schedule, what with how Obama is going to set him straight on all freaking things under the sun, and all.
I hope the Pope tells Bozo that he is too busy to see him because he is baptizing babies!
666 !!!
Unless the Pope planned an exorcism on Barry, I don’t see the big deal.
matter-antimatter annihilation
HAHAHAHA!
Because Michelle is sure to show her non manners in one way or another.
Would they still be eligible for post-birth abortion according to the Illinois State Senate?
Well, at least they’ll share common ground in undermining Israel with their joint insistence for the creation of a philistinian state.
TIME in the TANK.BO should be treated like
“I’m better than anyone else” N Pelosi.
Both Osama and the MSM will see this as a successful power play on the part of Osama. Neither will be capable of seeing it for what it is, the exercise of humility.
Only an obvious moment of analysis...but Time writes this kind of first-year college paper and publishes this as “news”?
The minor league analysis offered by Time is silly. The Pope and the church will lay out the problems and weaknesses of this administration...and offer to help move them to the right strategy. The President will attempt to smile and try to get his message across...but the Pope won’t be buying into this deal.
BTW, I’m hoping y’all got a chance to read the entire article. It was only a couple of paragraphs longer, but I had to cut it there. The subheading was not mine, it was from the article. Intrepid Time Magazine reporter actually does get into Pope Benedict XVI’s reasons for seeking out this meeting (which he did not seek out). Apparently, after 2000 years the Church could use the help of a man who voted “present” on the Born Alive Infant Protection Act to get its message out. Thanks Barry.
Maybe Obama will give the Pope an IPod with his address to NARAL and Deicide’s greatest hits already loaded up. Maybe he could toss in Jenna Jameson’s book as well.
Visualize Excommunication.
Barry won’t be able to go on a world tour to manage the recession he’s made worse and deepened.
At some point he and the Democrats will be toast.
As it is, if voters would read more about who did what they would NEVER have given Barney Frank who caused a lot of the mess more pals in the Congress and Senate.
I hope the Pope starts off by throwing Holy water on President Barry. Would be a hoot if he starts to melt...
It’s good to see what the enemy is saying.
With Obama’s help, the Catholic Church can begin to right itself once again? I just bet ....
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