She was probably too busy tending to the two ape-like creatures she calls her "daughters".
Posted on 08/22/2011 12:11:53 PM PDT by markomalley
Sonsoles Espinosa, José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero's wife, was the only one out of the Spanist statemen's wives not to meet Benedict XVI at WYD. But the Vatican overlooks it...
“Never has a first lady failed to attend the Holy Father’s visit, but Zapatero isn’t one to eat priests for breakfast…” On Sunday morning, the only frowned upon absence in the Pope’s retinue, was that of Sonsoles Espinosa, the Socialist prime minister’s wife, who did not make one appearance throughout the entire 2011 World Youth Day event.
Lady Zapatero was the only one out of all Spanish statesmen’s wives who, unlike Queen Sofía and princess Letizia, did not turn up to greet Benedict XVI during his 4 day stay in Madrid. Her husband on the other hand, met the Pope twice. The Vatican regretted Sonsoles’ absence in the photograph that is traditionally taken, of the Pope with the families of the prime ministers of the Countries he visits. And yet her husband “did not turn on his heels.”
When Benedict XVI landed at Madrid’s international airport last Thursday, he was welcomed by the Spanish royal family, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía, and also, to everyone’s surprise, by the Spanish Prime Minister José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero. Madrid was more prepared than ever in case of any attack, despite the fact that ETA, which declared a permanent ceasefire in January, is no longer feared. The security system which the socialist government of outgoing Prime Minister José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero put in place is one of the two most overwhelming systems adopted since the end of the Franco era. The other one was that which was put in place for the heir to the throne, Prince Phillip of Asturias’ (Juan Carlos’ first born, which he fathered with the television journalist Letizia Ortiz) wedding. On that occasion, half the world’s kings and queens and heads of state and government had been due to be present in Madrid.
With elections brought forward to November, Zapatero’s government wanted to avoid any chaos. “The important thing is not to annoy the Pope,” the Spanish broadsheet El País wrote. Ten thousand police and Civil Guard agents watched over every single step the Pope made and kept a close eye on the immense crowd of youngsters that flooded the capital. The passion exuded by the Pope during his visit to the Iberian capital seems to indicate that “white” Spain is raising its head again after eight years of Zapatero rule and social experimentation that has made the Vatican’s hair stand on edge. According to various surveys, the People’s Party (Partido Popular) under Catholic leader Mariano Rajoy is expected to win November’s elections. Spain had already abandoned José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero (who will not be running in November) in the regional and local elections in spring this year, giving Rajoy a significant wedge of local power. Lady Zapatero’s absence from official meetings with Benedict XVI led to Spanish mass media linking her to the anti-Pope protests that have made the neo-papist prime minister a target for demonstrators.
After years of tensions, the Holy See turns a page with Zapatero, the “dechristianiser” following a cordial conversation between Pope Benedict XVI and the Spanish socialist prime minister, in Madrid last Friday. “Rome is happily turning Zapatero’s page, as is customary in the Holy See’s fine diplomatic strategy, without digging the knife deeper,” the Spanish newspaper “El mundo” wrote. Zapatero is leaving his position and the Pope received him cordially”: but he no longer causes any concern to the Church, and “silver bridges are built with blessed water for the fleeing enemy”. In their face to face meeting in the Apostolic Nunciature in Madrid, the Pope offered the socialist prime minister a silver pen. Zapatero, the father of laws such as those legalising same-sex marriage and express divorce, has been the Iberian Church’s “worst enemy in recent times.” Spanish bishops called him “a dechristianiser, someone who flew the flag of secularism and even went as far as calling him persecutor of the Church.” During their meeting in the Apostolic Nunciature, Benedict XVI and the Spanish prime minister discussed the economic situation in Europe, the serious humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa and the revolts in the Arab world.
This was their fifth meeting and probably their last official discussion. But Benedict XVI also spoke with the Catholic opposition leader, Mariano Rajoy, in the sacristy of the Almudena Cathedral. A meeting which is now more than just a mere gesture of courtesy. All surveys predict that Rajoy will win the next general elections which have been brought forward. The current prime minister will not be standing again, given how badly the wavering crisis has hit him, with surveys showing how he has hit an all time low and showing socialist candidate Alfredo Rubalcaba more than 10 points behind than Rajoy. The leader of the People’s Party has already communicated that he may correct, rethink, or abolish some of the laws that have gone down the worst with the Vatican and Spanish bishops. He was referring to the legislation on the legalisation of abortion, same-sex marriages, express divorce and euthanasia. The arrival of a new popular government would give further impetus to the Church’s strategy of new evangelisation in a Europe that has been affected by “radical secularism” and “relativism.” Rajoy said he spoke to the Pope about working towards “a better society.”
I didn’t realize they were doing another Adams family movie.
I gather from other reports that the two daughters are supposed to be “Goths” and not simply mentally challenged ~
The look on the mother’s face is like, “Oh please, Oh please, don’t let them defecate in public again!!!”
I gotta say: cruel, but very, very funny. I always wince for the kids that are the progeny of the famous.
Freegards
I think this is alright with the Pope and with the Church. He didn’t go to Spain to meet with this woman. Pope Benedict XVI was there for WYD. This would be Sonsoles Espinosa’s loss, but certainly not something missed by the Pope.
Heh, I agree!
They look like they’re wearing clothes two sizes too big which leads one to believe there’s an insecurity. Michelle looks well-groomed, and quite fashionable, in comparison.
Zapatero got into office only after the train bombing as the conservative was way ahead of him. I forget his name but he was at the WYD Mass.
When together they are always in GOTH role. When apart the blond one, who looks like her mother without high heels or signs of beri beri, usually stands upright ~ at some degree of serious physical exertion I am sure.
One can only imagine they clean the brunette's cage daily.
If that picture doesn’t conjure comparisons to the ‘Addams Family’, I’m not sure what would.
That’s quite a collection of humanity there.
Is that photoshopped? The two daughters look like they have shoulder and arm issues.
Lady Zapatero looks like she should have zapatos on her manos and walking on them as well as her pies. Arf.
The daughter on the right apparently cleaned her boots before sitting in for the photo. Digging graves’ll make boots muddy in a minute.
Gomez in the middle there looks like he’s working his daughter there like a puppet. I’m surprised he doesn’t drink a glass of water while she speaks to amaze the crowd.
Most likely once he gets defeated this fall, starting in September by the conservatives. That will serve as a preview for Obama what he will experence next year when the conservatives come back into the White House.
The former I was refering to was the present Spanish PM going down in defeat by a struggling economic Spain, voting-wise.
Correction, in November the elections. Trying to do my first cup of coffee this morning.
AMEN to that.
The Pope was there for the young people who came out to see him. I had 9 young people from my parish join up with two other parishes to go over to Madrid to pilgrimage. I kept tabs on WYD via EWTN.
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