The Vatican has clarified erroneous media reports that the Holy Father's decision to abstain from meeting with Condoleezza Rice was not a snub and not intended to be interpreted as a reflection of the views of the Holy See pertaining to U.S. policy in the Middle East.
Here's the story: Vatican: Pope's refusal to meet Rice should not be seen as snub
Here's a quote:
Pope Benedict XVI declined to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during his August vacation, but Vatican officials said it should not be interpreted as a diplomatic snub."The only reason she wasn't received was that she came during a period when the pope doesn't receive anyone. It was a purely technical question of protocol," an informed Vatican source told Catholic News Service Sept. 20.
The source said it was "absolutely not" the Vatican's intention to rebuff Rice or signal disagreement with U.S. policy on the Middle East.
Rice was about to travel to the Middle East for diplomatic talks in early August when the request for a papal meeting was made. The pope was vacationing at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome.
Even as it declined the request, the source said, the Vatican made it clear that top officials of the Vatican's Secretariat of State would be happy to meet with Rice at any time.
"So clearly there was no intent to send a negative signal," the source said.
Rice instead ended up speaking by telephone with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, while he was visiting the United States in August.
Cardinal Bertone later praised Rice's mediating attempts, saying, "I recognize the untiring efforts of the secretary of state in reconciliation among the governments of the Middle East."
Any thoughts?
As an American, it kinda irks me. However, BXVI is on a well-earned vacation. I don't like to do work-related things in the middle of a vacation either...
Posted by: carlos | Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 07:00 AM
Why should Condi be upset? She could have used the time to go show shopping.
Posted by: william | Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 11:53 AM
If I'm on vacation, i don't want to be bothered with work, Good for BXVI
Posted by: Joe | Monday, September 24, 2007 at 09:22 PM
I think he has met with her on at least one other occasion, perhaps with Bush.
He shouldn't feel compelled to visit with Rice. My gosh, he is the Pope, and she is only Secretary of State.
Posted by: jameswrich1234 | Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 01:14 AM