Scottish Catholic Observer

It comes as no surprise that the provocative invitations to transgender activists, the first openly gay US Episcopal bishop and activist nun to the White House reception event later today, after the SCO goes to press, has prompted comment from Rome. Alternative lifestyles run counter to traditional Catholic teachings and, although Pope Francis is known for urging tolerance and avoiding judgment, the White House guest list has been seen as disrepectful and insensitive by critics.

The president’s guest list for Pope’s debut US visit ‘should raise a lot of eyebrows,’ the Rev Franklin Graham said on Facebook Saturday, calling the president’s plans ‘disgraceful and  obviously inappropriate.’

“Is there no end to the lengths the president will go to in order to push his sinful agenda?” he added.

However, Fr Thomas Rosica, adviser to the Vatican, said that the Vatican does not get involved in the guest lists of heads of state.

“I can tell you this formally from the Vatican, as I have a certain title to bring news from the Vatican, that the Vatican never gets involved in the guest lists of heads of state, number one,” Fr Rosica, CEO of the Salt & Light TV network, said.

The Holy Father has a packed US itinerary (see below) revolving around the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. According to a senior Vatican official, the Holy See worries that any photos of the Holy Father with these guests at the White House welcoming ceremony could be interpreted as an endorsement of their activities. The event, which will be held on the White House’s South Lawn on the morning of Pope Francis’ first full day in the US.

Josh Earnest, a White House press secretary, told reporters that he was unaware of the names of individuals on the guest list, but advised against drawing any conclusions on specific guests ‘because there will be 15,000 other people there too.’

“We would expect a wide variety of Americans who are enthused about the opportunity to see the Pope,” he said.

“I think that reflects the Pope’s stature and the significance of his visit, and the way he has inspired so many Americans, including a bunch of us who aren’t Catholic.

“So I would expect there would be a diverse crowd… to attend that ceremony. And I think the diversity of that crowd reflects the diversity of people in this country who are moved by the teaching and actions of this Pope.”

However, among the expected guests is Sr Simone Campbell, executive director of Network, a self-described Catholic social justice lobby in Washington. The Vatican had cited Network in connection to the LCWR’s failure to promote Catholic Church teaching against abortion and euthanasia.

Joe Ward, a Network spokesman traveling with her said: “’Sr Simone will be joining over 13,000 people attending the White House Papal Arrival Ceremony who represent a cross-section of American public life. She will not attend any private ceremonies at the White House, nor are we aware of any tensions with the Vatican.”

The Holy Father’s US visit follows on immediately from his trip to Cuba.

Pic: Pope Francis walks with US President Barack Obama after the pontiff arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland last night

Pope’s US ITINERARY

Wednesday September 23

9AM

Meeting with President Obama at White House

11.30AM

Prayer with bishops of the United States at St Matthew’s Cathedral.

4.15PM

Mass of Canonisation of Junipero Serra at Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Thurday September 24

9.20AM

Address before joint meeting of Congress

11.15AM

Visit to St Patrick in the City and Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Washington.

5PM

Arrival at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport

6.46PM

Vespers at St Patrick’s Cathedral

Friday September 25

8.30AM

Visit to United Nations followed by speech to UN General Assembly

11.30AM

Service at 9/11 Memorial and Museum

6PM

Mass at Madison Square Garden

Saturday September 26

9.30AM

Arrival at Atlantic Aviation, Philadelphia

10.30AM

Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Ss Peter and Paul 7.30PM

Visit to Festival of Families Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Sunday September 27

9.15AM

Meeting with bishops at St Martin’s Chapel, St Charles Borromeo Seminary

11AM

Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility

4PM

Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway

7PM

Visit with organisers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families, Atlantic Aviation

8PM

Departure for Rome