A spokesman clarifies Pope Francis's announced concerns about the "gay lobby" in the Vatican

Eye of the Tiber

Is it any wonder that the Holy Father is so
concerned about the gay lobby in the Vatican?

by Ken

The issue of a reputed "gay lobby" burst into public consciousness when its existence was offered as a possible reason for the sudden resignation of Pope Cardinal Ratguts (aka Benedict XVI), who was said to have cut and run rather than risk the fireball resulting from public exposure of this allegedly powerful coterie within the Vatican. More recently, his successor, Pope Francis, made disparaging reference to the supposed gay lobby.

Just yesterday Howie was speculating about the dark significance of the pope's outside-the-Vatican living arrangements. Now, thanks to the investigative blog Eye of the Tiber ("Breaking Catholic news so you don't have to"), we have new insight into the much-rumored-about gay lobby.

"Pope Literally Meant A Flamboyantly Decorated Lobby," Vatican Clarifies

VATICAN -- Being interviewed via Skype hours ago, spokesman for the Vatican Press Office Monsignor Bernard Hopkins clarified recent remarks made to a Latin American Church group by Pope Francis admitting the existence of a "gay lobby" in the Vatican.

"It is true what the Holy Father said about there being a gay lobby in the Vatican, but it is not as many have speculated," Hopkins told Eye of the Tiber from inside the site of the gay lobby in question. “The Holy Father was literally complaining about the posh, overly decorated, overly flamboyant lobby located at the southwest entrance of the Vatican, where we meet many foreign dignitaries.

"As you can see there is just too much pink . . . too much pizazz, as they say. This has bothered the Holy Father, who much prefers pastels and neutrals."

Hopkins went on to point out a couple of examples of dazzling chandeliers, glamorous floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and a painting of Liberace. “Of course he wants to destroy the gay lobby. You know how embarrassing it is for him to greet the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church while standing on a plush pink carpet?"

IN AN UNRELATED VATICAN CONTROVERSY --

Unconfirmed reports have Pope Francis "at wit's end" over reported "overstepping" by his desanctified predecessor, the former Pope Cardinal Ratguts, who is said to be behind, or at least a party to, the recent appearance of bands of unruly teenagers inside the Vatican selling hall passes and validating parking, on the ex-pontiff's authority.

A source close to the investigation, who declined to be identified because it "made [him] uncomfortable," said that the former Cardinal Ratguts' position is that "while he may have given up the powers of the papacy, he still has the authority to oversee administrative matters like hall monitoring and on-site parking."


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