After his successful first visit to the U. S., highlighted by an unprecedented address to a joint meeting of Congress, it appears the first Latin American pontiff has “some splainin’ to do.” It was recently revealed that Pope Francis secretly met with Evangelical martyr and conservative media star, Kim Davis, while in Washington D.C.
Many liberals and progressives who just a few days ago praised the Holy Father for his openness on issues such as immigration, climate change and income inequality, were taken aback by the Pope’s surprise meeting with Davis. Supporters had lauded Francis for avoiding hot-button issues polarizing American society.
Kim Davis has made a name for herself by refusing to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples due to her deeply held religious beliefs. The fact that issuing marriage licenses to all eligible couples is what she was elected to do does not matter to the new religious-intolerance poster girl.
“Why would the Pope take all that goodwill and moral capital he accumulated on his American visit and flush it down the crapper,” asked a confused supporter of the Pope. “There has got to be some explanation, some rationale we don’t know of.”
In an effort to get to the bottom of the story, this reporter interviewed Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office and Vatican spokesman.
“The Pope grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at a time when the main form of entertainment was watching Hollywood movies. He especially loved female film stars. When he was asked if he would meet with Kim Davis, he of course said “yes.” You see, the Pope’s favorite star of all time is Kim Novak. So he got a little confused. He is 78 years old after all … and a little hard of hearing.”
“So does the Pope believe a government official should be paid for refusing to do the job they were elected to do?” I asked Lombardi. “Absolutely not, “ said the spokesman, “ the Pope believes in an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. That is the message he gave to John Boehner during their private talk. And as you saw, Mr. Boehner took it to heart, announcing his resignation from Congress the very next day.”
Like the Pope, Father Lombardi misunderstood my question. But it didn’t pay to tell him I was talking about the Evangelical Kim Davis. The 73 year old Lombardi, I’ve been told, is also a little hard of hearing.
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I agree that all the good will he built up was gone in an instant the moment he met with this bigot. The problem is that we have no idea what was said to her and the Pope is not in the business of ratting someone one. Unfortunately the appearance of her meeting with him leaves one with the impression that he supported her, when in reality, he may have told her to do her job or quit. We just will never know.
You are right. The Davis camp will spin this in its favor, though. I don’t like the fact it was a secret meeting, reported on only after the Pope left. Maybe there will be some announcement from he Vatican? I still believe he thought he was meeting with Kim Novak!
That Kim Novak was one hot momma!
For sure!
Besides the secret meeting, I find it strange that when asked about Kim Davis and the right of conscious objection by the press on the way back to Rome, Pope Francis stated he had no idea about the case. You would think Pope Francis would be given at least some background information about who he meets by his “handlers”.
I’m not holding my breath that the Vatican will “come clean”, this is after all the Catholic Church.
I’ve heard the Pope’s into rap big-time so I’m thinkin he’s more of a Lil’ Kim fan.
BTW, great blog!
Thanks, Fred. Maybe some more facts will come out.