Paul KeenanCaution urged on Pope’s reported words
The Vatican has questioned the reliability of last week’s media coverage of Pope Francis’ reported comments on Communion for divorcees.
As international media went into overdrive to report the case of Jacqui Lisbona, an Argentine woman who told reporters of a phone call from Pope Francis in which, she claims, he said divorcees can receive Communion, the press office of the Holy See stepped into urge caution as coverage became more animated on the subject of reforms in the area of Communion.
In a statement, the director of the press office, Fr Federico Lombardi said: “That which has been communicated in relation to this matter, outside the scope of personal relationships, and the consequent media amplification, cannot be confirmed as reliable, and is a source of misunderstanding and confusion.” Fr Lombardi insisted that calls made by the Pontiff “have taken place in the context of Pope Francis’ personal pastoral relationships” and added that, in relation to the latest reported communication, “consequences relating to the teaching of the Church are not to be inferred from these occurrences”.