Pope's straight talk to Rome officials causes political storm

10th Jan. Rome officials visited Pope. This visit created a political storm. The political officials are Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni; the President of the province of Rome, Enrico Gasbarra; and the president of the region of Lazio, Pietro Marrazzo. All three are members of center-left political parties. They visited pope to wish him new year greetings. Pope as a bishop of Rome points out urgent needs to resolve a series of emergencies in education, housing, poverty, unemployment and public safety. He also warned that there should be greater support for the traditional family "founded on marriage" -- an implicit criticism of recent efforts in Rome to grant legal recognition and benefits to cohabiting couples. Referring to the recent murder of a Roman woman, allegedly by a Romanian immigrant, the pope said city officials urgently need to find a way to increase security. But they also need to provide to immigrants the basic opportunities for an honest and dignified life.

Italian media unanimously interpreted the pope's speech as a severe reprimand, and opposition political parties lost no time in adding to the criticism. Political adversaries of Veltroni portrayed the speech as if the Pope had scolded the mayor for degradation in the city. The Vatican press office responded to the interpretation given by the media of the Pope's address. The political manipulation that has followed the words addressed by the Holy Father, to representatives from the Region of Lazio, and the Province and City of Rome cannot but provoke amazement. It was certainly not the Pope's intention to undervalue the social work being carried out with praiseworthy dedication by the leaders of the City of Rome and of the Region.

Pope's straight talk to Rome officials causes political storm. I think, often things are quoting out of context. It always make problems. When we hear something we must understand it’s context also. Otherwise it will manipulate the event. When we become ego-centric it is very difficult to accept others suggestions. There should be a room for improvement in our lives. Media’s duty to publish true information to common people.

Further details:
http://www.zenit.org/article-21465?l=english
http://www.agi.it/italy/news/200801111344-pol-ren0035-art.html