Fake Vatican newspaper pokes fun at Francis, but makes his point

ROME
National Catholic Reporter

Joshua J. McElwee | Feb. 10, 2017

ROME

A fake edition of the Vatican’s semi-official newspaper L’Osservatore Romano made the rounds in Rome Friday, declaring in a bolded headline that Pope Francis had (subtext: finally) responded to four cardinals who challenged him last fall with five yes or no questions about how he understands church teaching.

“He responded!” the fake paper exclaims under what looks like an exact copy of L’Osservatore’s masthead. “Francis has broken his silence on the dubia of the four cardinals.”

And the supposed answer to each question? “Sic et non.” (Latin for “Yes and no.”)

While the very Italian version of fake news appears to have been created in a mean spirit — the story below the pope’s response reports that German Cardinal Walter Kasper fell on his knees upon hearing the news –it may just end up making the pope’s point: life is more complicated than yes or no answers.

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