The Smiley Smile Message Board

Just finished watching the speech on the telly. Thoughts abound but I still come back to this one - just as a majority of voters selected twice-over the most radical president ever seen in this country, a majority of cardinals selected the most radical pope ever seen in the Catholic Church.

That speech sounded like it was written by hardliners in both major parties and the leadership of the United Nations. What a load of bollocks.

Personally, I don't think the Pope has any business whatsoever speaking to the US Congress. 

First of all, he's not American. 

Second of all, he's a religious leader.  The day that the US stops mixing religion and politics (ie. Kim Davis), we'll all be much better off. 

Agreed on all counts. I can get behind (sort of) his speaking as a head of state, since he technically is one...but it's shaky.

It all comes down to ideology. People who bitched about Bibi Netanyahu speaking to Congress batted not one eye about Red Francis speaking to Congress. All ideology.

The Vatican is considered a City State. Therefore the Pope is looked upon as a Head of State. If invited, he has every right to address any government that asks him to speak. Are you afraid that he will somehow brainwash the entire U.S. Congress? He'll have his say today, and life will move along as before.

That's a nice little loophole.  I don't think the Pope, or anybody for that matter, is capable of brainwashing Congress.  Many of them don't have the necessary organ in which to wash. 

True Dat! :)

You're being charitable by saying merely "many of them" lack said organ, but I'll drink to that anyway! :lol

Exactly  - and the U.S. maintains an embassy with an American ambassador.  One of the more recent ones was the mother of ABC's Cokie Roberts, the late congresswoman, from Lousiana, Lindy Boggs.  Some do a great amount of humanitarian work and can help coordinate outreach as between the U.S. and church support in troubled and remote areas.  It was less surprising to see the Holy Father, after Benjamin Netanyahu.  But both heads of state. 

The Pope isn't responsible for Palestinian genocide and didn't rally for the death of Yitzhak Rabin.

Neither is Bibi Netanyahu.

Pope Francis spoke by invitation of Speaker Boehner. His views are the same that he has expressed throughout the world. I would hope that Speaker Boehner would know in advance what Francis stands for. There was nothing he said that he hasn't said before.

Boehner was visibly moved by the Holy Father, notwithstanding some of the Holy Father's positions. 

Maybe international diplomacy and lobbying is being replaced or subverted, by this new model of a leader speaking directly to the American people, via the media coverage that Congress affords.  It is a way for the world to hear leaders from far-flung regions and to get face-time with Americans via their elected representatives. 

The Pope's doing MSG tonight.  Any chance Bruce Springsteen or Billy Joel show up to sing a hymn with him?

Interesting...

Pope in... Boehner out...