WH: Obama to meet Pope Francis in March

The Deacon's Bench ^ | January 21, 2014

[NYer]

Details:

President Obama will meet with Pope Francis on March 27, capping a European trip that will take him to the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy.

“The President looks forward to discussing with Pope Francis their shared commitment to fighting poverty and growing inequality,” said a statement from White House press secretary Jay Carney.

During his trip in late March, Obama will participate in a nuclear security summit in the Netherlands and a U.S.-European Union summit in Belgium.

Obama also traveled to Vatican City in 2009 to meet with Pope Benedict XVI.

Carney’s statement in full:

“As part of the United States’ ongoing consultations with our allies and partners in Europe and beyond, President Obama will travel to the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy in March 2014. While in the Netherlands on March 24-25, the President will participate in the Nuclear Security Summit, hosted by the Dutch government, where world leaders will highlight progress made to secure nuclear materials and commit to future steps to prevent nuclear terrorism. He will also hold bilateral events with Dutch officials.

“From the Netherlands, the President will travel to Brussels on March 26 for a U.S.-EU Summit with the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission. This will be President Obama’s first visit to the EU institutions. While in Belgium, the President will also hold bilateral events with Belgian Government officials and with the NATO Secretary General.

“The President will continue on to Vatican City on March 27 to meet with His Holiness, Pope Francis. The President looks forward to discussing with Pope Francis their shared commitment to fighting poverty and growing inequality. In Rome, the President will meet with President (Giorgio) Napolitano and Prime Minister (Enrico) Letta.

“Further details will be provided at a later time.”

[Alex Murphy]

President Obama will meet with Pope Francis on March 27, capping a European trip that will take him to the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy.

IB4TPWM

[NYer]

10 Things Obama Might Say to Pope Francis

President Barack Obama will meet with Pope Francis for the first time on March 27 at the Vatican, the White House announced Tuesday.

Here's some thoughts on what Obama might say to the pope.

1) Promise, "If you like your Church you can keep your Church."

2) Say thoughtfully, "If I had a son, I think he'd be Pope."

3) Hand Pope Francis a DVD of his speech at Notre Dame and say "you're welcome."

Please continue reading this ridiculousness at The National Catholic Register>>>

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Second attempt at posting this information. Hopefully, the Admin Mod will not pull this thread.

[Track9]

Reagan used to meet John Paul to work out how to free people from godless communism. This is pretty much the opposite.

[Alex Murphy]

Second attempt at posting this information. Hopefully, the Admin Mod will not pull this thread.

Why fear the Admin Mod?

[Sacajaweau]

Maybe he can present he Pope with a list of aborted babies which Obama ardently supports.

[mlizzy]

What was the reason for the thread being pulled?

[SumProVita]

Let us pray for this meeting. Personally, I think that Mr. Obama wants to *use* Pope Francis for some sort of approval of his (Obama’s) own plans, which are FAR different from those of the Pope.

[livius]

Yes, I have some worries about Pope Francis. He’s got the usual Latin American sentimental leftism, made worse by the heavy Italian intellectual influence in Argentina, and even worse by the Argentinian and European love of statism, and is extremely into the grand gesture that he believes to be “pastoral,” without thinking about the consequences. He’s also very naive.

We know that Obama will be an ass, but Obama is very confident about his meeting with the Pope and I have seen several reports that he was very eager to arrange this. I think he felt that the Church was the one institutional enemy that he had, and while treasonous people such as Jenkins of Notre Dame weakened the Church’s power, he knows that if he gets the Pope to come out and support him - which Francis probably will do - he will have destroyed Catholic opposition in this country

[taildragger]

I think that Mr. Obama wants to *use* Pope Francis for some sort of approval of his (Obama’s) own plans,

Income Inequality and use it as a springboard towards Nov-14'.

[frogjerk]

wont happen, don’t worry.

[freekitty]

Why?

[BlessedBeGod]

Nothing but a photo op for the 2014 elections.

We can only hope that Francis does what Benedict did to Pelosi: deny photos being taken of them together.

[Polyxene]

If I were the Pope, I wouldn’t stand too close to the Obamanation — thunder, lightning, hail, toads, locusts.................I’d also watch out for an eruption of Mt. Etna or Mt. Vesuvius.

[Track9]

I absolutely agree.. and it is very dangerous.

[xone]

You’re quick you dog.

[NYer]

Why fear the Admin Mod?

Fear? What in my comment led you to that notion? My original post was from Catholic Herald and pulled because it conflicted with ... "Updated FR Excerpt and Link Only or Deny Posting List due to Copyright Complaints."

Really?!! I am familiar with those posting regulations and Catholic Herald is not listed. I freepmailed the Admin Mod for more specifics but ... not surprisingly ... no response. Still waiting ... patiently ... and, not in fear.

[NYer]

What was the reason for the thread being pulled?

See my post #17.

[NYer]

Let us pray for this meeting. Personally, I think that Mr. Obama wants to *use* Pope Francis for some sort of approval of his (Obama’s) own plans, which are FAR different from those of the Pope.

No doubt Obama understands they are on opposite poles insofar as abortion but he will probably explain this away as "separating his faith from politics". Ditto for the HHS mandate. But he will grab the moment to share "concern for the poor" and seek approbation for his financial policies, etc. When Nancy Pelosi met with Pope Benedict, photographers were not allowed. Obama would love nothing more than a photo of him shaking hands with Pope Francis that can be used to uphold his political agenda. I agree whole heartedly with you ... we need to pray for this meeting.

[NYer]

See my post #17.