Obama, Pope Seek Common Ground
Talk abortion, stem cell research and contraception in private meeting
By ANDREW GREINER
Updated 9:40 AM PST, Fri, Jul 10, 2009
President Obama met with Pope Benedict for the first time Friday afternoon in Italy, where the two discussed some polarizing issues that leave little room for common ground.
Obama and the pope shook hands outside the Papal Library at the Vatican. “Welcome, Mr. President,” the Pope told him. Obama replied: “Thank you so much, it's a great honor, thank you so much."
Near the end of the 25-minute meeting, the President and the Pope were joined by Michelle Obama.
In the private meeting, abortion, stem cell research and the use of contraceptives in Africa were on the agenda, according to aides, and the two leaders have very different views on each subject.
The meeting had some Catholics up in arms. Continuing on the line of attack that dogged Obama before his commencement address to the University of Notre Dame, one leading critic, former St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke, who heads the U.S. Vatican Tribunal, said the Democratic Party risks becoming the “party of death,” because of its stance on abortion, and decried the meeting.
But a majority of Catholics support Obama, as poll numbers and the Pope’s adulation have proved. Obama received the majority of Catholic votes in the 2008 presidential election vs. John McCain.
After Obama was elected, Benedict sent a personal note of congratulations, a risqué move because Vatican protocol dictates sending an official telegram on inauguration day.
The Pope also jostled his schedule to receive the US President, another risqué move. Typically dignitaries meet with the Pontiff during midday ceremonies, but in order to accommodate Obama’s schedule, which is packed with G8 activities, Benedict agreed to meet him later in the afternoon.
The two already have a good relationship. Obama has spoken with the Pope on the telephone sometime after election night.
"I do believe that it's fair to say that the President very much looks forward to this visit,” said Obama aide Denis McDonough.
"Since a very good conversation he had with the Holy Father as President-elect, I believe it was in early December, the President has been looking for an opportunity to visit the Holy Sea and to meet in person with the Holy Father."
The meeting won't hurt Obama's poll numbers either.
"Given the influence of the Catholic Church globally as well as in the United States, and frankly given the influence of the Catholic Church and Church social teaching on the President himself, he recognizes that this is much more than your typical state visit," said McDonough.
First Published: Jul 10, 2009 12:26 AM PST
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