Pope’s Message Mixed, Missed
Pope Benedict XVI may have been flying to Brazil and speaking about Mexico City, but his in-flight words to reporters on May 9 have caused a stir here in the United States. Initial headlines raised the specter of papal excommunication for Mexico City politicians who voted to expand abortion rights. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi quickly clarified the Pope’s comments; such politicians were not excommunicated, but "legislation in favor of abortion is not compatible with participation in the Eucharist."
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