What about the brutal attack on our children's sensibilities by all media? Sitting through an evening of American television, would the Pope not be disgusted by the ads about male sexual enhancement drugs, feminine hygiene products, and the general disdain for decency in shows depicting premarital sex and violence as regular and normal ways of life?
Yes, there must have been much to discuss on the table for these two men, but thirty minutes does not allow for much discussion beyond the pleasantries of introduction and pomp and circumstance. How much real discourse could have taken place? We know that gifts were exchanged, and that the Pope also gave Obama a lengthy printed treatise on the Vatican’s stance regarding stem cell research. This is a good start, but so much more is needed.
When these two men had a chance to sit down, one-on-one, with no cameras and no else present, what was exchanged? Obama is in dire need of direction when it comes to spirituality, and the Pope is in dire need of a lesson on the real world out there. Hopefully, the Pope blessed Mr. Obama and will continue to pray for him as he leads this nation and the world in matters of significance regarding urgent economic, social, and political events. For his part, Mr. Obama should have offered the promise of continued and meaningful dialogue. Too often, it seems the President (and this is true for most administrations in my memory) of our country does not appreciate the importance of the man who is in charge at the Vatican.
Two remarkable men met in Rome yesterday. We can only hope that their meeting is the start of something better and not just a photo opportunity. The lives of millions, perhaps even billions, of people hang in the balance. In an increasingly violent and disturbing world, their leadership can make a difference; their joint cooperation may just be the thing we need to rise to a better level of understanding and affect real change in matters that are truly life and death issues.
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Article comments
1 - Ruvy
Victor,
Neither your president nor the bishop of Rome inspire much thought in the readers here, it seems.
Maybe old Joe Ratzinger ought to chase a skirt or two if he really wants to inspire (or get attention). The Blessed of Hussein doesn't need to buy that kind of trouble, from what little I've seen of his wife....
2 - Victor Lana
Ruvy, I've always respected your comments on my posts before, but I do not here. Would I suggest a rabbi ought to eat pork and cheeseburgers to inspire his flock? I think not.
3 - Wyoming Joe
Good article. Wasn't much press on Obama's diplomatic missions eastward huh? Too bad.
4 - Ruvy
Sorry, Victor.
I have no respect at all for the Nazi the Vatican has chosen for a leader. He is an appropriate leader for an institution that is rife with Jew-hatred - and he will lead the Vatican on a path true to its soul and goals - murdering off Jews and severing the branch of "Christianity" from the Hebrew tree from whence it arises. Karol Wojtyla was an exception, as was the man who became known as "John XXIII".
The Vatican (nota bene, I did not say "Catholics") is an enemy of the Jewish people. The Vatican has an agenda to destroy us. You do not have to believe me, though you would be wise to. And Joseph Ratzinger is a leader of those following that agenda.
It won't happen. The Vatican agenda will not succeed, as the Shi'a agenda will not succeed. But it is there, and it is being pursued even as I type these words.
5 - Silas Kain
I defer to the prophecies of St. Malachy. The Church is coming to an end. After this Pope there shall be one last Pope and the Church will be changed forever. Some believe it will be the Rapture. Others believe it will be a devastating cataclysm. I believe it will be the revelation of great Truths which will finally provide us with answers to questions which have been around since Abraham.
Insofar as the meeting of two "great" men, I agree that President Obama is a "great" man. Benedict XVI, on the other hand, is the last vestige of an arcane, archaic and all but dead belief system.