Free Republic

There is intense anticipation in the Catholic Church -- and no small amount of anxiety for traditionalists -- over what Pope Francis will say about Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics in a key document expected in the coming weeks. But Francis has already made an intriguing change in this area, albeit one that only concerns the Vatican's arcane diplomatic protocol and a very, very select group: Catholic heads of state. As longtime Vatican-watcher Andrea Tornielli reports, the pontiff has altered the long-standing Vatican custom that if a Catholic president or prime minister (or dictator) who is divorced and remarried...

Andrea Tornielli, a well-known Vatican expert and friend of Pope Francis, wrote on 8 October an article about Pope Francis which could potentially lead to a world-wide public reaction of indignation. In his article, which is entitled “Pope Urges Bishops Not to Give in to Conspiracy Theories”, Tornielli reports that Pope Francis had been contacted by 13 cardinals and bishops who participate at the Synod on the Family and who have grave concerns about possible manipulations exercised especially by the General Secretary, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldissieri. As Tornielli reports: Right from the very first press briefing, some Synod Fathers were said...