ROME
National Catholic Reporter
Joshua J. McElwee | Oct. 1, 2015
ANALYSIS
ROME For a while there, we had become used to papal mis-messaging.
The examples during Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy were legendary. Take, for one example, his 2006 speech in Regensburg, Germany. Meant as an invitation for dialogue between Christians and Muslims, the message of the speech was overcome by a phrase he quoted from a 14th century Byzantine emperor that deeply offended Muslims.
Until now, Pope Francis had seemed much better about sticking to his message and not undermining himself. But that’s exactly what some think he has done by meeting secretly during his U.S. visit with Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who has refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses.
Just hours after giving his incredibly well-received speech to a joint meeting of Congress, Francis apparently met with Davis at the Vatican’s Washington embassy and told her to “stay strong” in her objection, for reasons of conscience, to issuing the licenses.
For many, the mis-message is rather stark.
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