The cancellation has made it easier for the pope to duck the moral imperative to condemn outright the enabling of genocide in Gaza by “practicing Catholic” Joe Biden.
Pope Francis in Bethlehem, May 2014. (Mustafa Bader, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)
By Ray McGovern
Special to Consortium News
It is a safe bet that Pope Francis breathed a sigh of relief at the news that President Joe Biden’s planned visit to Rome on Friday had gone up in smoke, so to speak.
Pope Francis has shown he has some moral fiber as well as a heart for the poor. However, like all recent “vicars of Christ” (and, sadly, unlike Christ himself) Francis is also a political animal and, in all probability, a not well informed one.
Still, the prospect of Biden, in person, seeking what would be seen as papal blessing for his policies would have been awkward. Most popes try to avoid giving scandal. But all too often, politics prevail.
The visit’s cancelation because of the L.A. fires has made it easier for the pope to duck the moral imperative to condemn outright the enabling of genocide in Gaza by “practicing Catholic” Biden – AND, not least, by Donald Trump starting in 10 days. The president-elect — as well as the president — has shown no moral qualms about extinguishing Palestinians. And they both have ardent fans among many Catholics.
‘Vatican News’ (Versus Speaking Out)
Biden, right, during a working session with G7 leaders and Pope Francis, back to camera, June 14, 2024, at Borgo Egnazia in Apulia, Italy. Also seated, from left: Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (White House, Adam Schultz)
There were recent signs that papal advisers of more soluble fiber had settled on a way to dance around Francis’ dilemma by pretending the issue of genocide was still up in the air.
The Vatican drew attention to a new book, Hope Never Disappoints, in which Pope Francis addresses the suffering from war and famine in Palestine. Francis writes:
“According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide. It should be carefully investigated to determine whether it fits into the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies.” [Underlining added.]
The pope’s book came out on Nov. 19, 2024. Was he unaware of the investigations already conducted over the past year by the World Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court?
Did no one tell him that CNN had already scooped the announcement of his book five days earlier? Here’s CNN:
“Israel’s war conduct in Gaza ‘is consistent with the characteristics of genocide,’ including mass civilian casualties and using starvation as a weapon, according to a new United Nations Special Committee report released Thursday. [Underlining added.]
Through its siege over Gaza, obstruction of humanitarian aid, alongside targeted attacks and killing of civilians and aid workers, despite repeated UN appeals, binding orders from the International Court of Justice and resolutions of the Security Council, Israel is intentionally causing death, starvation and serious injury, using starvation as a method of war and inflicting collective punishment on the Palestinian population,’ the UN committee said in a press release.
… The UN committee added that Israeli officials have publicly supported policies to destroy ‘vital water, sanitation and food systems’ in Gaza as well as prevent access to fuel. Palestinians fleeing northern Gaza after weeks of intense Israeli military operations in recent weeks have described a chronic lack of food and people dying of hunger, as aid agencies warn that the area is on the brink of famine.
But after a U.S. deadline for Israel to improve getting humanitarian aid into Gaza expired this week, the Biden administration assessed that Israel is not blocking aid and so is not violating US law governing foreign military assistance. The State Department said that while changes were needed, progress had been made, so there would be no disruption to US arms supplies.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Pope Francis, in Vatican City, the Holy See. on June 28, 2021. (Vatican photo via State Department, Flickr)
‘Hope Never Disappoints?’
Sad precedent: During WWII, with very few exceptions, bishops (Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran) collaborated with the Nazis. Hamlet-like Pius XII kept trying to make up his mind as to whether he should put the Catholic Church at some risk, while Jews were being murdered.
A political pope, Pius XII chose not to speak out. But silence can speak as loudly as words. So Hitler had no need to visit the Vatican to try to get papal blessing for his genocide.
More recently, when German Pope Benedict XVI visited Washington in April 2008, he, too, gave scandal. He arrived amid intense discussion of the war of aggression on Iraq, torture and capital punishment. The Supreme Court, with a majority of judges calling themselves Catholic, was openly debating whether one gram, or two, or perhaps three of this or that chemical would be the preferred way to execute people. Always colorful prominent Catholic Antonin Scalia complained impatiently, “Where does it say in the Constitution that executions have to be painless?”
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates his birthday at the White House with President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush, April 16, 2008. (Eric Draper, George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Public domain)
For this Catholic, the spectacle surrounding Benedict’s visit was far from painless. I was moved to write “What About the War, Benedict?” Here is an excerpt — relevant today — from what Albert Camus told a group of Dominican friars shortly after the war:
“In 1948, in the shadow of that monstrous world war, the French author/philosopher Albert Camus accepted an invitation from the Dominican Monastery of Latour-Maubourg.
To their credit, the Dominicans wanted to know what an “unbeliever” thought about Christians in the light of their behavior during the Thirties and Forties. Camus’ words seem so terribly relevant today that it is difficult to trim them:
‘For a long time during those frightful years I waited for a great voice to speak up in Rome. I, an unbeliever? Precisely. For I knew that the spirit would be lost if it did not utter a cry of condemnation…
‘It has been explained to me since, that the condemnation was indeed voiced. But that it was in the style of the encyclicals, which is not all that clear. The condemnation was voiced and it was not understood. Who could fail to feel where the true condemnation lies in this case?
‘What the world expects of Christians is that Christians should speak out, loud and clear, and that they should voice their condemnation in such a way that never a doubt, never the slightest doubt, could rise in the heart of the simplest man.
‘That they should get away from abstraction and confront the blood-stained face history has taken on today.
‘It may be … that Christianity will insist on maintaining a compromise, or else on giving its condemnations the obscure form of the encyclical. Possibly it will insist on losing once and for all the virtue of revolt and indignation that belonged to it long ago.
‘What I know – and what sometimes creates a deep longing in me – is that if Christians made up their mind to it, millions of voices – millions, I say – throughout the world would be added to the appeal of a handful of isolated individuals, who, without any sort of affiliation, today intercede almost everywhere and ceaselessly for children and other people.’ (Excerpted from Resistance, Rebellion, and Death: Essays)”
Camus had some hope; he was disappointed. Enough said.
Ray McGovern works with Tell the Word, a publishing arm of the ecumenical Church of the Saviour in inner-city Washington. His 27 years as a C.I.A. analyst included leading the Soviet Foreign Policy Branch and conducting the morning briefings of the President’s Daily Brief. In retirement he co-founded Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS).
Views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Consortium News.
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“FAITH,“ per Hallmark, “is the place between the way things are & the good things that are sure to come.”
“HOPE,” IMO, “is “Hell On Potus’ Earth,” i.e., “Awh, the wars, they will be fought again. The holy dove, she will be caught again. Bought & $old; &, bought again. The dove is never free.” Leonard Cohen, “Anthem.”
Albert Camus, French philosopher, author, and journalist (1913–1960), “had some hope. He was disappointed.”
Sixty-Five (65), years, later, the US POTUS’ currency IS hate & war, i.e., “Some humans ain’t human. You might go to church; And, sit down in a pew. Those humans who ain’t human be sitting right next to you. They talk about your family. They talk about your clothes. When they don’t know their own ass from their own elbows.” John Prine
IMO, “Hope,” like accountability, is gone! I.E., #46, Biden-Harris, are physically & mentally, done & dusted; AND, embracing what #44’s “hope” left behind, “change,” i.e., “US Presidents, 40-46, will never, f/ever, be held to account for the “blood on their hands.” It gets worse, the deception, destruction, death, “lives” large; AND, “All the President’s Men & Women,” aka the Board of Executioners, M.I.C., Treasury, Congress are, to date, exempt from impunity.
No doubt, the election of Biden-Harris gave rise to the Americans’ Christian “spirit,” aka sentiment, in the Divided $tates of Corporate America, “F/HOPE!”…… “Let’s go, Brandon; but, we, know what they say’n.”
Concluding, *“a calabash w/holes cannot be filled,” i.e., *“I can’t run no more with that lawless crowd. While the killers in high places say their prayers out loud; But, they’ve summoned, they’ve summoned up a thundercloud. They’re going to hear from me,” i.e., “For a long time during those frightful years I waited for a great voice to speak up in Rome. I, an unbeliever? Precisely. For I knew that the spirit would be lost if it did not utter a cry of condemnation.” Albert Camus
“Complicity Is A Crime.” Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow, the Pope can “talk, talk, talk about it. All night squawk about it;” BUT, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, deaf men, women, children can see & blind men, women, children can hear, “What is happening in Gaza is NOT a humanitarian crisis. IT IS GENOCIDE!” Dr. Tanya Haj Hassan. Eight (8) Days, ago @ hxxps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jVtU6c4fZeo&pp=ygUXRHIgdGFueWEgaGFqIGhhc3NhbiBnemE%3D
“We, the People,” w/eyes wide open, see the US POTUS’ (#46’s), war crimes, negligence, incompetence, ignorance, crimes against humanity; followed by No Accountability. It’s f.u.b.a.r! AND, NOT OVER!!! TY, Ray McGovern, CN, et al.
The Catholic Church, duplicitous and morally bankrupt it always has been. To remain silent on Gaza is sickening, shame on the Vatican, hypocrites the lot of them.
hats off yet again to ray mcGovern for the truth-telling. He is a national treasure.
Thanks, Walter. Haven’t connected for a very long time. Let’s get back in touch. Go Fordham! ray
I sent a message to Pope Francis asking him to tell Biden that assisting genocide is a mortal sin. I didn’t receive any answer.
The Pope will do nothing of the sort because, as he says, “According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide…”. ….. it is “only some some experts” ( that say so). Besides, it only has the “characteristics” of a genocide. In other words, in Pope’s view it is not a genocide.
Thank you, Ray, for your thoughtful in-depth article regarding the papacy and politics. (my term for it) The power of the Vatican and whoever is pope! Lots of talk about social justice issues preaching…why not “practice what you preach?” and welcome refugees, the homeless, those in need into Vatican City itself?! And what about “women’s equality”? Oh, “so sorry, the priesthood is only for males”
That is not real equality. The church is the people of God….so unfortunate for such huge power in the hands of one man and his associates (cardinals) Radical change in the structure of the church began by Pope John XXIII has not continued. Pardon my digression on this topic (having been a nun in a progressive American community once upon a time and working for groups advocating for women and married priests in the 1970s! Not much real change. Many thanks to those in the public, like Ray McGovern, writing and speaking truth to those in power. Blessings from an elder poet out west. Carolyn G.
The all-around hypocrisy is SICKENING!!!
Even if what’s happening in Gaza only “has the characteristics of” a genocide, isn’t that enough to condemn it? I wouldn’t want to be someone from 1941 who refused to condemn the Nazi treatment of Jews because they weren’t sure it was a genocide by then.
During World War II, the fascist state of Italy was of course a Catholic state. The fascist movement of Il Duce was a conservative, Catholic movement. Imagining the almost always conservative Popes not supporting this is far-fetched.
The Fuhrer was born, raised and confirmed Catholic. Like all politicians, he openly practiced the faith of the people he wanted to get to vote for him. I don’t think it would be hard to find a typical politician photo of him attending Church. He probably didn’t even hold his Bible upside-down. His Nazi Party straddled the old fault line in German history between Catholic and Protestant by claiming to be non-denominational and appealed to people of both faiths. Obviously successfully enough to get the most votes in the ’32 elections.
And of course, that is not the Big Genocide in Catholic history. The Big Genocide occurred when a previous Pope divided the world between Portugal and Spain and sent forth his minions to convert the heathens by the sword.
Hitler may have been born Catholic but he never practiced Catholicism – he had open contempt for the Catholic Church and Christianity in general and never attended any church. Other right-wing leaders of the day like Franco, Salazar and Dollfuss were strongly Catholic, and the Church itself welcomed right-wing leaders, at least initially, entering into concordats with the Mussolini and Hitler regimes after they came into power, guaranteeing the rights of the Church but with the Church also agreeing to stay out of politics.
This quibble aside, Saint Nick, I must say I’m in agreement with your other posting below.
Pope Francis is saying the right things on occasion regarding Gaza and certainly more than his predecessor Pius XII said during the Holocaust. But a stronger position would be much better. As Albert Camus said in that great quote cited by Ray McGovern – the church leaders need to be more courageous and outspoken, and less political. Actually there were church leaders who did this during the Holocaust – in the Balkan backwater of Bulgaria – where the Orthodox Church leadership threatened the king with anathema – a stronger version of excommunication – for helping implement the extermination plans of the Nazis.
A real Pope would excommunicate Biden and all other Catholics who are committing genocide by serving in his administration.
The Catholic Church will of course threaten excommunication for one unborn baby in America. But what about all the many born and unborn babies of Gaza? Can you imagine attending church, and in that sacred place being forced to sit next to someone who’s hands are dripping with the blood of thousands? Of millions? Makes one look up at that old Roman torture device that they use as a symbol and wonder what they really believe in?
Saint Nick, my thoughts exactly! I have a friend who was a Roman Catholic priest, excommunicated for falling in love, with a woman, I might add. And barbarians like Biden remain in good standing in the church and will be buried out of the church as a great man. So sickening!
yes. What is the Pope’s regard of the angry Jesus, throwing the money changers out of the church? Such passion! Waywardness! Decisiveness! Judgment! Jesus no less. Making boundaries between right and wrong, between right and evil clearly writ. And then we have the mortal Pope. How would following Jesus’s actions compromise Jesus’s messages? Were the Pope to – if but in imitation of Jesus – excommunicate a Zionist President c0-responsible for mass slaughter at the least, genocide at the most. But the Pope – like Congress and like the Supreme Court – fiddle about impressions (how they would “look”, be perceived by the power brokers (not the riff raff) in place of acting decisively on the profound meanings of Jesus’s teachings. The one he modeled and those he delivered by voice. Is there an abyss or a slight line between right action and evil?Quite parallel to the two-tiered (injustice) system in the USA. Isn’t it? 5 ounces of weed and the slammer forever for 3rd offenses. Turning – not the other cheek, but the eyes away- for the USA President. (and the truth witnessed by the world’s millions). Like the 2nd or 3rd monkey – “See no evil” for the Pope. Just like for the New York Times who somehow simply cannot see all those mountains of dead bodies of itty bitty babies, moms, and the Press piling up as signifying anything else but a legit “war.” Amazing, huh!?, Hamas hiding behind those itty bitty babies!
If there was one person who could have thrown a wrench in the Bush-Blair plans to invade Iraq,
it was Pope John-Paul II, by travelling to Baghdad in mid-March 2003. He did no such thing.
Of course, he had tipped his hand two decades earlier in a visit to Nicaragua by denouncing priests
in the Sandinista government instead of repudiating the 45-year dictatorship they had helped overthrown.
Catholic Church, the original grooming gang.
A year and a half into the most effective genocide in history, god’s supposed representative on earth has nothing much to say on the human atrocity being commited in her name.
A few arguments about semantics was as far as the pope got. Really flexing there.
To paraphrase Carlin – Humanity is a big club and they’re not in it.
Always colorful prominent Catholic Antonin Scalia complained impatiently, “Where does it say in the Constitution that executions have to be painless?”
The Eighth Amendment:
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Don’t forget the 9th Amendment either. Its important because since the writers knew they could not ban all lawyers, it claims that any and all rights not listed above still belong to the people despite that omission. They knew what lawyers were like and what they would try to do to freedom. It is the same amendment that gives us all a right to privacy.
“Ninth Amendment
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
Excommunicate Biden! (I know it won’t happen, but we can hope)
The DNC kicked him off his perch, that’s a good start.
Then the DNC got kicked off their perch.
Big smile…
More karma to come.